Android is almost a ubiquitous operating system (OS) that powers the majority of the smartphones. A packed spec-sheet with customized software has been the key point of differentiation for many brands. The total cost of ownership of a phone is much more than the hardware components. When users browse through the numerous smartphone options available in the market, he/she may be tempted to choose a device to get maximum specification in a budget, which more or less comes at the cost of better user experience and up-to-date software. If the user ignores essential features like long term OS updates, his/her data privacy comes under very potent risk, according to Sanmeet Kochhar, Vice-President, HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones.
Mr Kochhar said the role of smartphones in bridging India’s digital divide is undeniable. Affordable devices are critical to bring India online. The shipment of 150 million devices in 2020 shows how people consider smartphones as an essential item. He observes that user data patterns are a highly sought-after commodity. One’s usage data patterns are critical for targeting him/her with advertisements, pop-ups on phones, and play a key role in off-setting the minimal profit margins on hardware. This brings up the million-dollar question. Is one’s phone truly his/her own when it is being used by the company as a billboard despite paying full price? What really is the cost of giving up control over the phone and leaving it open to security risks? He made it clear that apps installed through the Google Play Store are more secure than the pre-installed apps on the device. These pre-installed apps often have system-level access to data, few safeguards to prevent data pilfering to off-shore servers, usually in China. Since smartphones have become essential of one’s personal and financial transactions, one needs to be aware and vigilant about who has access to his/her data and why.
Mr Kochhar said, custom Android skins, pre-loaded on the smartphones give little or no control in the user’s hands. These applications can rarely be removed, and there is no transparency over data usage metrics. This stands in sharp contrast to a pure Android experience that has no added bloat, gives users explicit controls over what they install and the level of access apps have. This customization also delays the delivery of security updates and OS upgrades, leaving the devices vulnerable to cyber-criminals who want to steal the data. Pure Android, by its nature, is faster with security patches and yearly major updates. There are many options available in the market that considers user privacy and safety as the core priority, without any scope of compromise. It is the responsibility of the user to make a fully informed decision of prioritizing long-term secure experience over short-term specs, while buying a smartphone, Mr Kochhar warned.
