Reports have emerged about the Pixel 9 Pro XL sending private user data to Google servers every 15 minutes. A security researcher from Cybernews found that this smartphone often transmits sensitive information, including email addresses, phone numbers, and location data. Alarmingly, it sometimes shares this data even before any apps are installed. This discovery has raised significant privacy concerns, as many users might not realize how much of their personal information is being sent without their consent.
The situation looks even more troubling when considering the phone’s remote management features, which seem to operate without the user’s knowledge. This suggests there may be serious security flaws in the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s operating system.
It appears that the phone communicates with services like Google Photos’ Face Grouping without any action from the user, leading to further worries about privacy. Additionally, the native Calculator app could potentially leak calculation history under certain conditions, which is concerning for users who think their data is secure.
According to Nazarovas, a security expert, the amount of data being sent and the remote management capabilities raise questions about who truly owns the device.
Although users pay for their phones, the deep integration of surveillance technologies in these devices may put their privacy at risk. The latest Pixel phones come packed with advanced security features, but the research highlights that potential threats still exist, and data leaks are not uncommon.
Interestingly, the Cybernews researchers used a “man-in-the-middle” approach to capture and analyze the data traffic. However, they faced some limitations due to the rooting process. As artificial intelligence continues to enhance our daily lives, it also poses new risks to our data security, making it crucial for users to stay informed about their devices and privacy.
