Gboard’s Data Privacy Issues

Gboard, the default keyboard on many Android devices, including Google Pixels, has been downloaded over 10 billion times from the Google Play Store. This widespread use has led to concerns about the keyboard’s data collection and sharing practices. While Gboard offers a range of useful features, users should be aware of the potential risks to their privacy.

According to Android Police’s investigation, Gboard activity could potentially be intercepted, decoded, and tied directly to users’ identities. This raises concerns about the security of user data and the potential for unauthorized access.

The data safety policy listed on Gboard’s Google Play Store page states that the keyboard may collect a range of data, including:

• Device IDs
• App activity (e.g., installed apps, in-app search history, and app interactions)
• Voice or sound recordings
• Diagnostics and performance data

Google claims that it doesn’t share this data with third parties, but users also cannot request that their data be deleted. This lack of transparency and control over user data is a major concern.

What Data Does Gboard Collect?

Gboard’s data collection practices are outlined in its data safety policy. The keyboard may collect data on users’ device IDs, app activity, voice or sound recordings, and diagnostics and performance data. This data is sent to Google’s servers, where it is used to improve the keyboard’s features and user experience.

However, users should be aware that Gboard also uses data for on-device training of its AI models, a process called federated learning. This means that user data is sent to Google’s servers, where it is used to train AI models that improve the keyboard’s performance. Users can opt out of this feature by disabling federated learning in their Gboard settings.

How to Protect Your Privacy with Gboard

While Gboard’s data collection practices may be concerning, users can take steps to protect their privacy. By disabling certain settings, users can limit the data that Gboard collects and sends to Google’s servers.

Here are some steps users can take to protect their privacy with Gboard:

• Turn off federated learning: This feature allows Gboard to send user data to Google’s servers for AI model training. Users can disable this feature by going to their Gboard settings and selecting ‘Turn off federated learning.’
• Delete learned words and data: Users can delete their learned words and data by going to their Gboard settings and selecting ‘Delete learned words and data.’
• Disable usage statistics sharing: Users can disable usage statistics sharing by going to their Gboard settings and selecting ‘Disable usage statistics sharing.’
• Disable personalization: Users can disable personalization by going to their Gboard settings and selecting ‘Disable personalization.’
• Disable ‘Improve for everyone’ data collection: Users can disable ‘Improve for everyone’ data collection by going to their Gboard settings and selecting ‘Disable ‘Improve for everyone’ data collection.’

Alternatives to Gboard

For users who are extremely concerned about their privacy, there are alternative keyboards available that do not collect or share user data. Two such alternatives are HeliBoard and FUTO, both of which are offline, free, and open-source. While these keyboards may not offer all the features of Gboard, they provide a more private and secure alternative.

Ultimately, users should be aware of Gboard’s data collection practices and take steps to protect their privacy. By disabling certain settings and using alternative keyboards, users can limit the data that Gboard collects and sends to Google’s servers.