Hi everyone, I've been reading some of the phone threads recently, and am more than a little concerned with all the talk about apps spying on their users. I will be replacing my phone in the next year or so. I'm an Android user, and have never owned an iPhone. Also, I use some Google apps, but many other third party applications. I guess my question is, is there any benefit to switching to an Apple phone if I want to continue using Google apps such as their calendar and Gmail? I should clarify, I don't use the Gmail app as I thinks it's lousy. I do use the Google calendar daily though. What do you all think?

It's over simplistic to answer this in speaking only of the phones. MOST of the security that anyone can achieve with technology involves the myriad of choices (starting with becoming educated) that evolve into the actual configuration and build of their device.

Which apps do you download, do you employ all of the security features available, do you control the behaviors of the apps, and on and on. I know what I'm doing, and even I often make mistakes. It's an intentional thing, to be secure. You cannot buy it. Sadly, really.

Secure against what/who? The phone's legitimate owner (e.g. making a mistake and screwing things up), Sergei Hacker, or Big Brother (Google/Apple/Verizon/Govt.)? What specific threats are you concerned about?

As well-noted by r0gue, there is no substitute for becoming educated about these matters, not that this is easy to do or aided by vendors.

iPhones and their OS by design are much more secure. It’s not even close.

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Originally posted by PowerSurge:
iPhones and their OS by design are much more secure. It’s not even close.

What he said.

Right up until last week I would've said iPhone since they keep the App Store really tightly regulated especially in comparison to Android. I knew Apple monitored everything on the phone, figured apps were leaking data while I used them, but didn't think it was leaking data via closed apps. The good news is that Apple doesn't allow the carriers (at&t, verizon, etc) or 3rd party manufacturers (e.g. Samsung) add a layer of bullshit into the OS like the Androids.

However, the May 29th posting on your iPhone sending 1.5 gigs of data per month while you were sleeping shocked the shit out of me.

Already noted that it is more about the user and behaviour than the phone or OS itself but I was surprised to read a few years back that Special Forces had dumped the iPhone 6 or so (hint about the date of the info) in favor of Android based phones.

Been fixing computers for over 30 years now and my job involves as much if not more User therapy than actual hardware or software issues. It's mostly all about education. I'm just the interface/middleman between the computer and confused/ignorant or missinformed users.

Keep your data to yourself as much as possible and use common sense. Don't freely give away to a screen ifo you wouldn't give to a total stranger.

It makes me angry when stores will give you discounts if you use an app only to find the app wants to access your camera, pics folder, contacts, microphone and spend the night with your significant one... And plenty of morons sign in anyway.

Don't trade or give away your personal data / freedom for a "free sandwich" or silly discount. There are no free meals.

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Android phones have a master password.

iPhones do not.

quote:

Originally posted by Largefarva:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
iPhones and their OS by design are much more secure. It’s not even close.

What he said.

Think again.Samsung's Android devices going back to before 2016 had approval from the Defense Information Systems Agency.

quote:

...but I was surprised to read a few years back that Special Forces had dumped the iPhone 6 or so (hint about the date of the info) in favor of Android based phones.

I think it went the other way. They had Samsungs but switched to iPhones around 2017 due to crashes and slowness at the time. Don't know if they've switched back.

This is the current DISA approved mobile device list:

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Android phones have a master password.

iPhones do not.

What? A lot of people would be very interested to learn about it if you have a source!

I stand corrected.

For what it's worth, I ditched iOS in favor of Android

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A major part of my current job involves cell phones. Apple is far more secure than Android. NEITHER is particularly interested in user privacy and will sell your data out in a heartbeat in order to turn a profit all while publicly shouting about keeping your data private. Read up on app privacy settings and pay attention to what you are giving access to what, especially GPS, camera, and microphone. You've got WAY more to worry about with private companies in this regard than the .gov.

I've been doing this gig just over a year now. They will provide limited information to LE in response to a valid warrant but will happily hand over ALL your data, including GPS, search history, and information gleaned from the mic and camera apps to advertisers. Apple is probably better in this regard because they directly control what apps are approved which cuts down on 3rd party data mining. A little.

Entertained the idea of an IT position in cellular forensics about four years ago. Too much of a headache for me to keep up with all of the changes.

I can't provide any sources in this regard as I didn't get to any security overrides. At the time, the farthest that I could get into an iPhone was the contact list. They have since changed how this was done and it no longer works.

Be sure to check your 'Hey Siri' setting on your iPhone if you have one.

Four years in cell tech is like 40 years in PC computing. Heck, I held onto my Nokia 7280 for as long as I could.

I'm hoping Purism comes through with the Librem 5.

quote:

Originally posted by Gear.Up:

quote:

Originally posted by Largefarva:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
iPhones and their OS by design are much more secure. It’s not even close.

What he said.

Think again.Samsung's Android devices going back to before 2016 had approval from the Defense Information Systems Agency.

quote:

...but I was surprised to read a few years back that Special Forces had dumped the iPhone 6 or so (hint about the date of the info) in favor of Android based phones.

I think it went the other way. They had Samsungs but switched to iPhones around 2017 due to crashes and slowness at the time. Don't know if they've switched back.

This is the current DISA approved mobile device list:

None of what you posted proved my original statement incorrect. Just because a government agency decides to go with a certain platform does not prove Android is more secure than iOS.

You want secure get a Blackberry 10 if you can still get it. God Bless

My company use to offer us a choice of iPhone or Samsung for issued cell phones. Earlier this year they dropped the Samsung’s. The reason was security based.

Thanks everyone for the information so far. I want to clarify my original post a bit. I wasn't speaking about a specific phone, more so about the different platforms. As for who I would be concerned about it would be Apple, Google and third party apps swiping my data without permission. Assume I will do everything correctly on either platform ( I won't) as far as privacy settings are concerned. Which do you recommend based on me continuing to use some Google apps? Will it make any difference what the platform is?

quote:

Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
You want secure get a Blackberry 10 if you can still get it. God Bless

I still use my Q10 from time to time. Although I do think its time is basically up.

If you stay with Android, stick with Google Play store and do not sideload apps or other app stores.

Google BTW regularly scan your phone for misbehaving apps, tracking apps' (mis)behavior as well as spywares and viruses and it remotely removes the threats from your phone if detected.

As in the other thread I had posted, the spying apps secretly recorded your screen, including when you type in passwords and other personal info - there is literally nothing you can do about this, except turning it off and not use it. You have to depend on Apple or Google to detect and police this kind of behavior.