Google has recently addressed allegations that its Pixel smartphones are sending private user data back to Google servers every 15 minutes. The claims originated from a report by Cybernews, which analyzed the web traffic between Google and its latest flagship smartphone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

The report suggested that the device was transmitting private user information, including email addresses, phone numbers, location, network status, and other telemetry data, back to Google servers every 15 minutes, even before any app is installed.

In response, Google has refuted these claims, stating that the report 'lacks crucial context, misinterprets technical details, and doesn't fully explain that data transmissions are needed for legitimate services on all mobile devices regardless of the manufacturer, model, or OS.'

Google emphasized that user security and privacy are top priorities for Pixel devices, and users have the ability to manage data sharing, app permissions, and additional privacy settings during device setup and within the settings application.

Google also highlighted that the researchers in the report 'appear to have modified the device (rooting and installing man-in-the-middle certs) - so it is difficult to recreate these scenarios. These conditions could trigger unintended data checks.' Furthermore, Google pointed out the lack of detail in the report's methodology section and noted that there are 'legitimate services' that require data transmission, regardless of the device, manufacturer, or operating system.