I bought this one and never looked back

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wadg_mLOPJQ

On iOS, I believe you can opt out of most (if not all) tracking. And you can actually backup locally, via iTunes.

On Android, at least the Play Store will always send your location to the mothership...

It's really a question of who you trust.
Apple, at least historically, is a company that has never directly monetarized your data (or only in a very limited way), whereas with Alphabet (Google), they sell ads and as such, the customer is not you, but the people who buy slots for ads on their apps and websites. You are the product.

In the case of the cheap Chinese phones (I assume, that refers to various no-name models you can buy on ali express and wish, mostly, though IIRC Oppo previously also had "problems" in this department), it's not really known if the data doesn't just end up in the hand of low-life identity thieves and general thugs.

People always underestimate the amount of problems huge collections of seemingly insignificant bits of information can cause in the long term, in the wrong hands.



I recently came across GrapheneOS - and the Nitrophone: they allow you to order a custom-made Pixel phone with de-soldered camera, microphone and accelerometer.

That is what they want you to think.

Apple does appear to have the security situation under better control.
However, there is will always be the location tracking possibilities in the mobile network infrastructure (base stations etc.) at least while you have your phone switched on.

And likely when you have your phone switched off. Since most devices now have soft switches, nothing is ever really off.

Of course Apple tracks you, and culls other information about you. But the difference with Android devices is that Apple uses the information internally while others use your data internally and also sells it to the highest bidder.

They do bear watching as they will try and sell you more and more but, for the moment, I don’t find it intolerable.

If you have a mobile phone and want to either receive or make phone calls, or both, then your telecom provider has to know exactly where you are. Such information is stored in their database so whether Apple or Android phones keep such information is irrelevant.

When I worked for a telecom provider it was a daily occurrence for the police to call and ask where a phone was at certain times and dates.

Edit: There are unverified claims that US intelligence agencies and other parties regularly distribute software that enables them to track your phone even if switched off.

That's what this company https://teralytics.net does buying data from telco operators. Of course there are other companies.

That was fantastic!

Agreed. However between the two major players, Apple has a vested interest in selling you more stuff, and thus a vested interest in at least trying to be true to their word, because if they're caught in a lie it would harm future sales. Any claims that Google makes about Android privacy are deception.

If you carry even a dumb cell phone, your location is known with precision to at least one third party, and likely many more third parties.

I've also seen claims that US intelligence agencies (and their friends) can turn on your phone, your phone's camera, and your phone's microphones. Given the incredible sophistication and design of Stuxnet, I'm inclined to believe the claims.