Recently, the media has confirmed that Google has installed a program called Android Lockbox on Android phones since 2014 to collect sensitive information from users. Specifically, this program tracks and sends basic usage statistics of all apps on your mobile phone to Google, such as how often you open the app, how long you use it, etc. It also spies on battery levels and internet connection quality.
Why does Google do this? Apparently, to understand the success of apps that are not owned by Google like TikTok or Facebook, and thus create their own alternatives. However, if you do not want Google to record everything you do on your mobile phone, we will tell you how to disable the Android Lockbox spy program on your device.
Android Lockbox is part of mobile phone services. This means that if your Android device comes from the factory with Google apps, make sure that Android Lockbox is spying on how you use apps on your mobile phone now. Fortunately, you can easily deactivate this program by following the steps below:
– Go to your Android device settings.
– Tap on the Google option.
– Tap on the three-dot button in the top right corner.
– Select Usage and Diagnostics.
– Tap on the key you see on the screen to disable Android Lockbox
That’s it! As Google explains, doing so will not affect your mobile phone at all. It will continue to function in the same way and receive security and system updates. However, it should be clarified that this is not the only tool Google uses to spy on your mobile phone, so deactivating this option will not make Google stop spying on you at all.
