The original post: /r/privacy by /u/LORD_OF_OXYGEN on 2025-01-21 15:58:05.

I’m new to cyber-privacy and security. I started reading into it after I became paranoid about data collection (I’m probably not the only one who was led to this sub because of a similar feeling). I see a whole lot of people praising Apple and IOS security and privacy online, as well as friends of mine.

I recently purchased a OnePlus that runs ColorOS after having Samsung phones all my life. A lot of people seem to think that especially Chinese operating systems have spyware installed, which is a fair assumption that I am also inclined to believe because of the half-closed nature of OxygenOS (and other Chinese brands OSs). There are a lot of Google apps you can’t delete. When I compare it to Samsung’s OneUI, ColorOS is much less bloated and comes with less pre-installed apps, but the Google apps and services that are installed can’t be deleted? It also uses Google Contacts and Google Phone by default for calling and messaging.

I understand that without a custom ROM and complete deconnection from any big company services, your data can never be completely safe. Every big company wants to collect data, Chinese or American.

My question is, how are people blindly trusting IOS when it’s a completely closed-source? I have always been very sceptical about Apple products and Apple as a company, but what guarantees this privacy people are praising? Why would it be more trustworthy than OxygenOS (or ColorOS etc.)? And why would an American corporation be more trustworthy than a Chinese one?

My gut tells me both are equaly as money and data hungry, but I would love to hear your opinion.