Google collects data from rival apps to better its products: Report

According to a recent report by ‘The Information’, Google has been keeping tabs on rival Android apps’ usage using its ‘Android Lockbox’ programme to develop or better its products

It is said that, Google has been collecting and studying usage data from competing apps to help develop its own apps better.

The programme gives Google’s staff access to information about how Android users interact with non-Google apps and services. Android Lockbox gets its most useful information when users agree to share information with Google as part of the Android setup process.

The report comes as Google’s business is facing an intense amount of antitrust scrutiny in the US. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is due to testify