Google Pixel Phones Secretly Collecting Personal Data from Users

For all its reputation as a data-hungry giant, Google's Pixel phones actually have some great privacy features. However, like any device, they also collect personal info in ways that may not be immediately apparent.

One such feature is 'Usage & diagnostics', which is enabled by default and collects performance metrics like battery drain rate, CPU usage, and app crashes to help Google refine its software updates. While this data can't be used to access personal content, some might argue it's still a privacy concern. To turn off data collection, head to Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy > Usage & diagnostics.

Another feature is 'Call Screen', which allows users to hand off calls to the device assistant and watch conversations in real-time. While the processing happens locally on the phone, Google does store call transcripts and audio clips, accessible later through the Phone app. Users can stop saving audio clips by going to Settings > Call Screen > Save Call Screen audio.

The 'Recorder' app is another feature that collects personal data. It offers voice transcription, noise reduction, labels for multiple speakers, AI summaries, and cloud backup, all of which come with some privacy implications. For instance, AI summaries may be processed on Google's servers temporarily, and cloud backups mean recordings can be accessed from anywhere with a Google account login.