Android Privacy Policies

Non-Stop Protection

Android continuously defends your data by actively searching for and defeating threats before they even have a chance of reaching you.

1. Encryption and backup

Your data is protected using advanced end-to-end encryption available on all new Android devices. This type of encryption uses your device's lock screen pin, pattern, or password to make sure that nobody other than you can steal or access your data while it's backed up to the cloud.

2. Regular security updates

Every month, Google publishes Android Security Updates that provide fixes for possible issues affecting your Android device. Your device also receives regular Google Play system updates. They automatically upgrade system components and fix bugs seamlessly, so that you can worry less.

3. Permissions auto-reset

If you haven't used an app in a while, you may not want it to keep accessing your data. You can keep your data private and secure, as Android will reset permissions for your unused apps. You can always turn permissions back on.

4. One-time permissions

You can enable one-time permissions for apps that require your microphone, camera, or location. The next time the app needs access, it must ask for permission again. And you can rest assured that no app will get access to any of the above unless you have specifically allowed it.

5. Safe browsing

Safe Browsing on Android lets you explore the web with confidence. It prevents you from accessing dangerous websites and malicious files, whether you're on a browser or browsing the web from a social media app.

If you try to navigate to a dangerous website or download a harmful file, we try and warn you and redirect you to safety. This way, you're less likely to encounter malware or a phishing scam.

6. Google Play Protect app store malware vetting

Google Play Protect analyzes potentially harmful apps before you download them. You get notified if an app is potentially harmful or malicious. Through this protective measure, you can worry less about whether these apps will hurt your phone or steal your sensitive data.

7. Google Play Protect daily app scanning

Google Play Protect has built-in malware protection that keeps your Android device clean and your data safe. Backed by Google's machine learning, it automatically scans apps on Android phones to prevent the installation of harmful apps. It's the most widely deployed mobile threat protection service in the world.

8. Always-on spam detection

Built-in spam protection keeps you safe and helps you avoid spammers and scammers. Phone by Google warns you about suspicious callers before you pick up, whereas, Messages by Google prevents over 1.5 billion spam messages each month from ever reaching your inboxes.

9. App sandboxing

Android isolates the apps on your device to ensure they get the limited ability to interact with each other and with the operating system. With app sandboxing, we help prevent apps from doing malicious things, like accessing certain information you don't want them to access.

10. Cleared clipboard history

Android 13 has safeguards built-in to help protect your data. For instance, when an app accesses your clipboard, you will get alerted. And your clipboard history will also be cleared after a time to prevent unwanted access.

Protection You Can See Working

Android makes your security and privacy options easy to find, understand, and use. You can always see how your device keeps your data safe and take action when needed.

1. Privacy dashboard

The privacy dashboard gives you a clear and comprehensive view of when apps have accessed your location, camera, or microphone over the past 24 hours. If there is anything you aren't comfortable with, you can manage permissions from the dashboard.

2. Camera, microphone, and clipboard indicators

You can see a live indicator that will instantly notify you when apps are using your microphone or camera. Android also notifies you every time an app reads from your clipboard.

3. Find my device

One of the biggest security risks you're likely to face is simply losing your phone. Find My Device has you covered in that time of need. You can use Find My Device to find, ring, lock, and/or erase your Android devices (phones, tablets, and even watches). This feature is built in and enabled on all devices. You can use it on the web or with the app.

4. Data safety section

The Data Safety section in Google Play helps to understand what types of data apps collect and why that data is collected. For instance, if data collection is optional, required, or shared with third parties. That way, you can better understand which apps to download.

Protection Your Way

Android enables and prioritizes privacy on your terms. It gives you great out-of-the-box protection and timely recommendations, tools, and options to further personalize your settings and advance your security.

1. Payment security

Google Pay protects your payment information on your Android device with industry-leading security to help keep your account safe. And when you pay in-store, Google Pay doesn't share your actual card number, so your information stays secure.

2. Mic and camera toggles

Android offers quick switches to turn off the microphone and camera access for all apps on your device. You can completely disable those sensors using two toggles in the quick settings. You can simply flip the switch.

3. Runtime permissions

Some apps require permission to access your location or camera. It provides context and visibility into the permissions that are requested. Your data won't be shared or accessed without your consent. For some permissions, you can select more granular settings that only work once or while you're using the app.

4. Location controls

With Android, you can control when your location gets shared with apps: always, while in use, or never. If an app has access to your location at all times, you'll receive a notification to remind you. You can switch it off or on however you deem necessary.

5. Private compute core

Powerful Android features like Live Caption and Now Playing get enabled by continuous streams of data like audio from your apps, sounds nearby, or the content on your screen. This data can be highly sensitive, and you might not want it to leave your phone.

It’s imperative to build these features in a privacy-preserving way. That's why we built the Private Compute Core. It's a first-of-its-kind, secure mobile environment that is isolated from the rest of the operating system and your apps.

Any data processed in Private Compute Core must be explicitly authorized by the user before it can be shared with Google or any other app or service. And like the rest of Android, the protections in Private Compute Core are open source and fully inspectable, and verifiable by the security community.

6. Approximate location

While some apps need precise location information for tasks like turn-by-turn navigation, many other apps only need your approximate location to be helpful. With Android, you can choose between giving apps access to your precise location or an approximate location instead.

7. Photo picker

Certain apps require access to media files. But instead of sharing your entire media library with apps, you can select only the photos and videos they'll need to access. * works with compatible apps.