Smartphone Data Collection Practices Analyzed
A new analysis reveals varying levels of pre-installed app bloat and data collection across major mobile manufacturers.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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Surfshark analyzed the volume of pre-installed software and data collection habits across Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and Apple mobile devices. The study highlights significant disparities in user control over pre-installed applications and data harvesting.
Why it matters
The analysis underscores how pre-installed software influences both the volume of personal data collected and the ability of users to customize their mobile experience. It highlights the divergence between regional regulatory requirements and global device software configurations.
Samsung leads the group with 88 pre-installed applications, followed by Google at 71, Xiaomi at 61, and Apple at 50. While Apple users in the European Union can remove 98 percent of pre-installed apps, this figure drops to 88 percent in other regions.
The players
Surfshark
A cybersecurity company providing VPN services, data protection tools, and privacy research.
Samsung
A consumer electronics manufacturer known for its Galaxy line of smartphones and integrated software ecosystem.
A technology corporation that develops the Android mobile operating system and the Pixel hardware line.
Xiaomi
A mobile device manufacturer that builds budget-to-premium smartphones utilizing a customized version of Android.
Apple
A consumer electronics company that designs the iPhone and maintains a vertically integrated software and hardware ecosystem.
The details
Surfshark researchers evaluated the data collection disclosures provided on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for pre-installed applications. The study found that Facebook and Instagram collect 37 of 38 potential data types, or approximately 97 percent, while Samsung applications listed on the Google Play Store harvest an average of 13 data types. This investigation highlights the distinction between software intended for core system functionality and third-party pre-installed packages.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: Surfshark published the analysis findings.
The Tech Race
This analysis highlights the ongoing tension between manufacturer software control and the compliance requirements of the European Union's Digital Markets Act. It serves as a benchmark for how mobile hardware providers navigate regional software freedom mandates against their global distribution strategies.
Users can immediately check their device settings to identify and remove unused pre-installed applications, which may reduce background data harvesting. Availability of these removal options remains dependent on the specific manufacturer's regional policies, with the European Union currently offering the broadest control.
The takeaway
The level of control a user has over their device depends largely on both the manufacturer and the regulatory environment of their region. Future comparisons should focus on how manufacturers standardize or differentiate these removal policies following global privacy updates.
Further reading
For more on device software and user controls, visit Consumer Electronics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News.
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