Do you wonder which of the mobile operating systems between Android and iOS is ensuring more security and privacy for its users? Well! It is 2022, so there must have been a lot of changes since the last time you heard about their features in terms of security and privacy.
The ever-increasing threats of cybersecurity have made it more important than ever to compare these two strongest competitors on the list of the mobile OS. Hence, if you emphasize the security and privacy of your device, it is worth knowing which one is going to give you a bit more peace of mind than the other.
Android is speculated to stand on the same level of security and privacy as iOS. Do the latest versions of Android live up to the expectations of the fans worldwide? Let us compare Android and iOS in terms of various security and privacy features, and try to find a conclusion.
Operating System Source Code Security:
You might know that the OS source code for Android is mostly available to the public (open-source code). On the other hand, not a single external entity can access Apple’s source code (closed source code).
It signifies that evaluating the security flaws in Apple’s source code is not a cakewalk for cybercriminals. On the contrary, Android’s open-source OS code is more likely susceptible to security threats. Nonetheless, Google is starting to leverage the power of this feature that used to be treated as a vulnerability by many experts.
Firstly, the open-source nature of the Android OS source code has made it accessible for developers worldwide. And we all know how experienced developers contribute to the improvements and advancements of open-source code.
Secondly, Google is ready to remunerate independent security experts for getting the organization updated about the latest security threats to Android (of course Google’s own security research is going on simultaneously).
The surprising fact is that a prominent annual mobile security event (2017) witnessed the failure of mobile security experts to detect Android vulnerability, so they had to leave without any reward.
Conclusion: It is a tie between Android and iOS when it comes to the security of OS source code.
Third-Party Security Apps: Which OS comes with the support?
Do you wonder which of the OS between Android and iOS comes with the third-party security app support? The answer is both of them. In other words, both Android and iOS support loads of third-party security apps.
Today’s consumers expect flexibility and versatility on their mobile devices. So, apart from having strong built-in security features, a device should also be able to integrate with different third-party services, especially VPNs and mobile antivirus protection.
Good to know that both Android devices and iPhones are compatible with the reliable security apps in the market. Thus, users of both OS can take the security and privacy of their devices to the next level.
Conclusion: Both Android and iPhone are winners in this regard.
What’s more?
Another worth-noting factor is popularity, which plays a crucial role when it comes to cyber-attacks. And we all know the number of Android users is more than that of iOS users. The common concept regarding OS security is that the more the popularity the more the vulnerability.
Nonetheless, Android’s popularity can be harnessed in the same way as its open-source OS source code. That means an array of security apps is available to protect users’ privacy and ensure security. Leverage the power of a correct set of security apps. And you can take the security and privacy of Android to the same level as that of iOS or even beyond.
The Competition is getting tougher
Apple launched the cutting-edge App Tracking Transparency, which enables users to cancel the tracking features of an application in iOS 14. This feature enables users to detect if the microphone or camera of their device is in use by an app.
If the camera or microphone is in use, a little bubble would appear atop the screen, owing to the App Tracking Transparency feature. On the other hand, iOS 16 comes with a feature, called Safety Check, to enable users to cancel access to data to safeguard it against cybercriminals.
Android does not come with any safety feature, such as the App Tracking Transparency, unlike iOS 14 does, but Android comes with privacy indicators. According to Google, Android users would have more control when it comes to data sharing with third-party applications in Android 13.
Moreover, Android 13 would enable users to provide applications with permission to a fixed set of images instead of enabling them to access the full gallery. It marks the success of Android when it comes to competing with iOS in terms of privacy and security.
The Bottom Line
iOS has always been the best mobile OS when the emphasis is on device security. However, there is room for improvement as well. It is also true Google is leaving no stone unturned to improve the privacy and security features of Android OS, and the results have already been discussed above.
