Mobile Device Security: Data Protection on iOS & Android

It may not feel essential to the user experience, but security can make or break it. From cloud security and API security to data protection and encryption, security is a priority, and it helps us build better apps. Apps that protect our users’ data and earn their trust for good reason.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to protect user data on both iOS and Android platforms, from first launch to enterprise.

Mobile Devices, Data & Privacy

Mobile devices constantly collect and share data, making personal privacy an issue.

Mobile devices collect various types of user information, including personal details, app usage, and location data. This information can be shared with third parties for purposes such as ad targeting, analytics, and service improvements. However, the extent and nature of this data sharing are not always transparent to users.

While companies are required to disclose data collection practices and obtain user consent in some jurisdictions (e.g., under the GDPR in the EU), the implementation and enforcement of privacy laws vary across regions. Some large tech companies, including Google and Meta, have faced significant fines for privacy violations, indicating that regulations like GDPR can hold companies accountable.

Both Google and Meta have been fined for privacy violations, demonstrating that GDPR in Europe “has some teeth,” according to Brad Weber.

Concerns arise when third parties use collected data in unexpected ways, such as selling it to other companies or using it for purposes beyond what users initially consented to. The lack of consistent, strong privacy protections across all regions leaves many mobile device users vulnerable to potential misuse of their personal information.

To protect their privacy, users can take steps such as reviewing app permissions, using privacy-focused browsers and search engines, and supporting initiatives that push for stronger, more uniform privacy regulations globally.

As a product owner, prioritize data minimization to protect user privacy.

Mobile devices constantly collect and share data, which can be used to track users’ locations, activities, and personal information. Data protection, security, and privacy are crucial components of data well-being, and product owners have a responsibility to safeguard user data.

For an app to function properly, it may require access to sensitive information such as the user’s location or contacts list. However, it is essential to obtain explicit user consent before accessing or sharing any such data. Product owners should carefully evaluate the necessity of each piece of data collected and ensure that users are fully informed about how their data will be used.

As an iOS developer (or any other type), you should always ask yourself: “Is this necessary?” If not—and if alternative methods are available—you should use those instead.

Data is a precious resource—one of the most valuable assets to an organization that must be protected accordingly. With data sharing, less is more. Collecting only what you truly need will help protect your users’ privacy and security from potential hackers who might try stealing sensitive information from them through malware attacks on their mobile phone/tablet devices.

As an iOS developer or any other type of developer, always ask yourself: “Is this data absolutely necessary for the app’s core functionality?” If not, and if alternative methods are available, prioritize those options instead. Collecting only the minimum amount of data required not only helps protect users’ privacy but also reduces the potential impact of data breaches.

Data is one of the most valuable assets to an organization and must be protected accordingly. By adopting a data minimization approach and collecting only what is truly necessary, product owners can help safeguard users’ privacy and security from potential threats, such as hackers attempting to steal sensitive information through malware attacks on mobile devices.

Furthermore, being transparent about data collection practices and providing users with clear options to control their data can help build trust and foster a positive relationship between the app and its users. Regularly reviewing and updating data collection practices in line with evolving privacy regulations and best practices is also crucial for maintaining a strong commitment to user privacy.

Android & Apple: How They Handle Security Differently

Ensuring the safety of our personal data and privacy is of utmost importance, and that’s where mobile security comes into play. When it comes to this, two of the biggest players in the market are Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. While iOS is renowned for its closed ecosystem and timely security updates, Android’s strength lies in its open nature. Let’s delve deeper into their respective security mechanisms and compare their attributes.

Which is more secure—iOS or Android?

In general, iOS is considered to be more secure than Android. This is due to several factors, including:

• Apple’s Closed Ecosystem: Apple has much more control over the hardware and software that goes into its devices, which makes it more difficult for hackers to find and exploit vulnerabilities.
• Apple’s Aggressive Security Patching: Apple quickly releases security patches for its devices, which helps keep users safe from known vulnerabilities.
• Android’s Fragmentation: The Android ecosystem is very fragmented, with many different manufacturers and carriers offering their own operating system versions. This makes it more difficult for Google to release security patches for all Android devices and gives hackers more targets to exploit.

However, it is important to note that no operating system is 100% secure. There have been malware and hacking attacks on iOS and Android devices. Ultimately, the security of your device depends on both the operating system and the user’s behavior.

Android and iOS devices employ various security measures to keep data safe.

Both Android and iOS use strong encryption features to protect data. If a device is stolen, the data cannot be accessed without the encryption key. However, there are differences in encryption methods between the two platforms.

Android employs device-specific keys that are unique to each device. This means there is no universal key for all Android devices. Google services like Gmail or Chrome may have separate keys associated with them. Both the device-specific key and the Google key are required to access data.

In contrast, iOS uses a combination of device-specific keys and iCloud keys. Even if someone has a device, they still need the iCloud password to access the data.

While both platforms have strong encryption features, encryption is not foolproof. It is essential to take additional security measures to keep data safe.

Security Features on Android Devices

By utilizing data encryption, data accessibility, and other security features, Android devices effectively safeguard data against unauthorized access:

• Data Encryption: Android’s encryption features have become increasingly sophisticated and robust. All Android devices are encrypted by default, and Android 12 introduces improvements such as enhanced file-based encryption, stronger encryption for sensitive data, and new security features for app developers.
• Data Accessibility: Android devices use a permission system to regulate app data access. Only apps with granted permissions can access specific data. App permissions can be managed in Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > App permissions.
• Malware: Google Play Protect scans apps for malware and other security threats and monitors devices for suspicious activity. 
• Two-Factor Authentication: Android two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to Android devices and accounts by requiring a code from users’ phones and their passwords when logging in. Android users can enable Android 2FA in Settings > Security > 2-step verification.
• Find My: Find My Device helps locate lost or stolen devices and allows data erasure, if necessary.
• Dedicated Storage: Trusty is a dedicated secure subsystem on Android devices that securely stores sensitive data like fingerprint and face scan data. This data is encrypted and can only be accessed by authorized apps with the correct credentials.
• Security Updates: Google regularly releases security updates for Android, addressing potential vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit. It is important to install these updates promptly.

Furthermore, Google’s latest Android operating system introduces new default app security features. Since Android 7.0 Nougat (released in 2016) automatically encrypts all Android devices. The data on the device is protected by a strong encryption key accessible only with the device passcode, PIN, or pattern.

Android 12, the latest version, introduces additional security features, including:

• Enhanced Encryption: Android 12 encrypts files with unique keys, making it harder for attackers to access data even with compromised device encryption keys. Stronger encryption algorithms protect sensitive data like biometric authentication and app credentials.
• New Security Features for App Developers: Android 12 provides new APIs for developers to implement secure encryption practices.

Security Features on iOS Devices

iOS devices use a variety of security features to keep your data safe, including:

• Data Encryption: Using a strong encryption algorithm, iOS devices encrypt all user data by default. This means that if someone were to steal your device or gain unauthorized access to the data, they would not be able to read it without the encryption key. Your device passcode, PIN, or pattern protects the encryption key.
• Data Accessibility: iOS devices use a permission system to control which apps can access data. This means that apps can only access data you have permitted. You can control app permissions using Settings > Privacy & Security > App Permissions.
• Malware: Apple does not have a built-in malware scanner for iOS. Instead, Apple relies on several other security features to protect iOS devices, such as:some text
  • Sandbox: iOS uses a sandbox system to isolate apps from each other and the system. This prevents malicious apps from accessing other apps or system files.
  • Code Signing: All apps on the App Store are code-signed by Apple. This means that Apple has verified the developer’s identity, and the app has not been tampered with.
  • Automatic Security Updates: iOS devices automatically receive security updates from Apple. This helps to keep iOS devices up to date with the latest security patches.
• Two-Factor Authentication: 2FA is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your account by requiring you to enter a code from your phone and your password when logging in. You can enable 2FA for your Apple ID by going to Settings > Your Name > Password & Security.
• Find My: Find My is a service that can help you to locate your lost or stolen device. It can also help you erase your device’s data if necessary.
• Dedicated Storage: Secure Enclave is a dedicated chip that securely stores sensitive data like fingerprint and face scan data. This encrypted data can only be accessed with the iOS user’s passcode, PIN, or pattern.
• Security Updates: Apple releases security updates for iOS regularly. These updates patch security vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. It is important to install security updates as soon as they are available.

Furthermore, the latest iOS release, iOS 16, introduces several new security features and enhancements that help to protect users from a wide range of threats. Some of these features are, notably:

• Lockdown Mode: Lockdown Mode is a new mode that provides an extreme level of security for users who face targeted threats to their digital security. When Lockdown Mode is enabled, certain features and functionality are limited to help protect users from targeted attacks. For example, most messaging attachments other than images are blocked, and incoming FaceTime calls from unknown callers are prevented.
• Enhanced Privacy Controls: iOS 16 includes several new privacy controls, such as the ability to choose which apps are allowed to access your location and the ability to see which apps have accessed your clipboard in the past hour.

Regarding apps and mobile devices, it’s clear that security is on everyone’s mind. With great convenience comes great responsibility. It’s important to approach security thoughtfully to navigate the digital landscape.

Taking Security Further

As a developer, you can go beyond what the OS offers by investing in security from the ground up.

Taking the right precautions when developing mobile apps can help ensure user data is safe. The first step is to use a secure coding language and development environment. You can also implement specific security measures such as encryption, 2FA, and biometrics authentication.

Securing Your First App

The first step to ensuring your user data is safe is a secure coding language and development environment. There are many ways that hackers can get access to your app’s code, so it’s important that you use secure coding practices at every step of the process.

If you are launching an app for the first time, the most important security things for you to know and implement are:

• Start with a security-first mindset. Keep security in mind throughout development, from design to implementation to testing.
• Don’t underestimate the importance of security testing. Hire a security professional to test your app before you release it.
• Be transparent with your users about how you are protecting their data. Publish a privacy policy and explain to your users how you are using their data.
• Be responsive to security vulnerabilities. If a security vulnerability is discovered in your app, fix it immediately and release a patch.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your first app is secure and that your users have a positive experience.

For enterprise-level data protection, add an extra layer of control.

In addition to the above measures, large enterprise apps may also need to consider the following:

• Implement two-factor authentication for all of your apps. 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your apps by requiring users to enter a code from their phone in addition to their password when logging in.
• Use biometrics to authenticate users. Biometrics, such as fingerprints and face scans, are a secure way to authenticate users.
• Use a threat modeling process to identify and mitigate security risks. Threat modeling is a process that helps you to identify and assess potential security threats to your app. Once you have identified the threats, you can implement mitigation strategies to reduce the risk.
• Implement role-based access control. Role-based access control (RBAC) is a system that controls which users have access to which resources in your app. This helps to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data or performing unauthorized actions.
• Implement a zero-trust security model. A zero-trust security model assumes no user or device can be trusted by default. This approach can help protect your app from unauthorized access, even if an attacker can compromise a user’s account or device.

In addition to the above measures, large enterprise apps may need to comply with various regulations, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. These regulations often have specific security requirements that must be met.

It is important to educate your employees about security best practices. Security awareness and training will help reduce the risk of human error, a major cause of security breaches.

Treat security as a competitive advantage.

Mobile app security has become a top priority for businesses of all sizes. With the increasing number of data breaches and cyberattacks targeting mobile apps, users are more discerning than ever about the apps they download and use. Businesses that take mobile app security seriously can gain a significant competitive advantage.

Many users need to be made aware of the security features available in mobile apps. Businesses can gain a competitive advantage by highlighting their app’s security features in marketing materials and app store listings.

You can also innovate using security to your advantage. Taking mobile app security seriously can increase customer trust, loyalty, and market share.

Focus on Security: Case Study

For example, security is paramount in the rapidly evolving real estate industry. Buyers, sellers, and agents must be confident that their personal and financial information is safe and secure. inHere understands this and has made mobile app security a top priority.

Industry experts have recognized this focus on mobile app security. inHere was nominated as an honorable mention for the Fast Company Security category of the prestigious Innovation by Design Awards. inHere’s focus on mobile app security has helped the company to build a reputation as a trusted and innovative platform for real estate transactions. This reputation has given inHere a competitive advantage in the market.

“We were seeing consumers who were losing their life savings. Frankly, we’re seeing people that were getting defrauded online. So, part of the inHere platform was to bring a single trusted platform for all participants in the transaction, but it was really important to the consumer. There is one online place where they can come, transact, and verify information. And if they do get contacted by somebody who appears to be a fraudster or whatnot, they know that they have this single secure online platform for them.“

—Jason Nadeau, Chief Digital Officer and Chief AI Officer | Fidelity National Financial

Mobile Device Security Affects Everyone

If you take the right precautions when developing mobile apps, you can ensure user data is safe.

Personal privacy has become a pressing issue with the advent of mobile devices. With so much data being collected and shared by these devices, developers must be aware of the security and privacy concerns of creating iOS or Android apps. By following best practices when developing your app and keeping up with current trends in mobile technology, you can ensure that users will have peace of mind when using your product.