1. Google Chrome
On many Androids these days, Google Chrome is now a preinstalled app, unlike iPhones, which just automatically come with Safari. While Google Chrome is a commonly used app and tool, some cybersecurity and tech experts like Peter Barnett advise against using it too often.
"Chrome is a fantastic browser, but it collects a huge amount of behavioral data by default, including your searches, browsing history, and even predictive activity," he explains. "Unless users dig into the privacy settings, most of that data is tied back to their Google account and used for profiling."
2. Google Maps
Similar to Chrome, Google Maps is also often preinstalled on various Android phones. The privacy issue with map apps like Google Maps is their consistent access to your location and where you are in the world, which can be unsettling for some smartphone users.
"Location services are incredibly useful, but Google Maps constantly tracks and stores where you go, even when you're not actively navigating," adds Barnett. "That level of location history can reveal sensitive details about your daily routines, workplace, or even healthcare visits."
3. Facebook
While it may be one of the most popular social media apps out there, Facebook has been getting called out lately for its data and privacy risks, and some tech experts, like James Wilson, believe it's not necessary to have it as a preinstalled app and is worth using with caution.
"This social media app is often preinstalled on some Android devices," he explains. "But just like Google Chrome, Facebook collects extensive user data. Meta has been known for its privacy issues. For example, in 2021, Facebook was hit with a data breach that exposed the personal information of over 500 Facebook users. Even to this day, Meta is facing lawsuits for privacy violations. So, Facebook definitely is a preinstalled Android app that puts privacy at risk."