LineageOS vs Android: privacy compared
LineageOS and Android are both rated in mobile operating systems against the same 4 public criteria. LineageOS does better on open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales. Android does better on independent audit. LineageOS is based in the United States (Five Eyes); Android is based in the United States (Five Eyes).
| Criterion | LineageOS Our pick | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | Grade C C (65/100) | Grade F F (25/100) |
| Jurisdiction | United States Five Eyes | United States Five Eyes |
| Open source Is all the source code needed to run the product public? | Yes source | Partial source |
| No trackers or telemetry Are the website and apps free of third-party trackers, with any analytics anonymous and any telemetry off by default? | Partial source | No source |
| No ads or data sales Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data? | Yes source | No source |
| Independent audit Has an independent security or privacy audit been published within the last three years? | No | Partial source |
Summaries
LineageOS. LineageOS scores 65 out of 100 (grade C) on the mobile operating systems criteria. It meets 2 of 4 criteria: open source and no ads or data sales. It partly meets no trackers or telemetry. It does not meet independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.
Android. Android scores 25 out of 100 (grade F) on the mobile operating systems criteria. It partly meets open source and independent audit. It does not meet no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.