LineageOS vs iOS: privacy compared
LineageOS and iOS are both rated in mobile operating systems against the same 4 public criteria. LineageOS does better on open source and no ads or data sales. iOS does better on independent audit. LineageOS is based in the United States (Five Eyes); iOS is based in the United States (Five Eyes).
| Criterion | LineageOS Our pick | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | Grade C C (65/100) | Grade F F (35/100) |
| Jurisdiction | United States Five Eyes | United States Five Eyes |
| Open source Is all the source code needed to run the product public? | Yes source | No 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 | Partial source |
| No ads or data sales Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data? | Yes source | Partial 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.
iOS. iOS scores 35 out of 100 (grade F) on the mobile operating systems criteria. It partly meets no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and independent audit. It does not meet open source. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.