If you're receiving more scam messages than your friends and family, it might be your mobile platform, at least according to a recent Google and YouGov survey. According to Google, Android users report receiving 58% fewer fraudulent messages than iOS users, and the rate is even higher on Pixel devices.
Credit: Google
This data is taken from survey Google and YouGov surveyed more than 5,000 Android and iOS users in the US, India and Brazil. The data shows that Android users overall were “58% more likely than iOS users” to report that they had not received any scam messages in the week leading up to the survey, and that iOS users were 65% more likely than Android users to report receiving three or more scam messages per week. Overall, it also said Android users were 20% more likely to describe their device's anti-fraud features as “very effective” or “extremely effective.”
Regarding the Pixel versus iPhone specifically, the study also found that Pixel users are 96% more likely to report no fraudulent messages than iPhone users, and that iPhone users are 136% more likely to say they have received “a lot of scam messages” than Pixel users, as well as 150% more likely to say their device is “not effective at all in fighting mobile scams.”
These numbers don't look good for Apple, although it's worth pointing out a few details before taking Google at its word.
What is YouGov?
First, we must give Google credit; it did not conduct this research alone. While the company didn't go into detail about how it partnered with YouGov, YouGov itself is a respected organization, widely cited in market research and even political news. The organization specializes in surveys and has been cited in everything from New York Times To Sister publication Lifehacker Mashable.
It's also worth noting that YouGov wasn't the only independent organization Google collaborated with to compile its report. The company also tapped Counterpoint Research to evaluate AI-powered fraud protection and Leviathan Security Group to evaluate fraud protection on four Android phones. The company used this research to put together an infographic showing its security features compared to the iPhone's, which you can see below.
Credit: Google
Credit: Google
However, note how Google has compiled the information here. Specifically, this implies that the iPhone does not provide any protection against email scams, while ignoring the fact that many iPhone users access their email through the same Gmail app as on Android. Also not mentioned Safari's ability to block pop-ups or iPhone's ability to screen phone callswhich makes me think Google may be getting picky about how it presents data here. Thus, it is also worth taking a critical look at the survey results.
Questions about methodology
While the Google survey results are likely accurate for the audience surveyed, I have a few questions about the methodology.
First, the problem is that this is a survey and not a more impartial look at text message inboxes. While surveys provide insight into how users perceive their devices, they are receptive to what those surveyed say, meaning they can be influenced by respondents who misremembered details or misunderstood questions.
However, the more important issue for me is sample size. While I commend Google for conducting the survey in three different regions, the company did not specify how many of its respondents owned iPhones and Android devices. It's possible that iPhone users reported more scams simply because iPhone is more popular in the US., For example. To be fair, these numbers have been reversed. India And Brazilbut without knowing details of how many people Google and YouGov surveyed and where, it's difficult to know whether other factors are influencing the data.
For example, in addition to the fact that iPhone users could potentially be more numerous depending on the structure of the population surveyed, iPhone users could also be more susceptible to scam messages simply because scammers may want to target this user base more, as they once did with viruses in Windows. The iPhone is known as a luxury device, which means its users may have extra money to spend, making it a tempting target.
Can you trust a Google survey?
So, can you take the Google survey's word for it? Yes and no.
Since YouGov is helping the company, it is likely that the results presented are true, although they may still be misleading. The only way to know for sure is to look at the detailed breakdown of the survey itself, but unlike Study of counterpoint And Leviathan Security Team ratings, there doesn't seem to be a way to view the raw survey data at the moment, just Google blog reports its findings.
I independently reached out to Google and YouGov with questions about their methodology and did not immediately receive a response. Just in case, I also reached out to Apple for a response and am still waiting for a response as well.
For now, I would take this poll with a grain of salt. It is almost certainly based on truth, but it is important to remember that it is still part of the larger advertising narrative.
Lately Google has made a big deal about calling Apple's ecosystem a walled garden. If a company can convince users that it can offer them greater freedom while increasing security, it will be a big win. However, this coincides with Android's own efforts to close in the name of safetyso maybe the truth is that both platforms aren't that different.
