Android devices track you before you even sign in

Researchers from Trinity College report that Android devices transmit multiple identifiers and cookies (e.g., DSID, Android ID, analytics and tracking cookies) to Google via Google Play Services and the Play Store even before users log in, with no meaningful consent or opt-out and limited ability to clear or prevent storage. The Android ID is created on first connection, later linked to the user’s account, and persists unless the device is factory-reset, raising privacy and PII concerns. The article criticizes Google’s transparency and consent practices and highlights the lack of granular user controls compared to web browsers.