Does Google Messages App Collect Data?

protonuser2

I'm on pixel 8 pro with latest GOS version installed.
I do NOT have play services, or play framework, or store installed. None of them.

I am using Google Messages App (com.google.android.apps.messaging) for SMS.

It is notable that internet is denied for it.

Is there any chance of my data being collected by this app?

23Sha-ger

Being collected locally on the device for internal usage? Yes.
Uploaded to Google? No, without a network permission.

Technically it could still send the data by SMS to Google, but it's such a far fetched
scenario it shouldn't be considered as a risk.

mmmm

If you have other Google apps installed, which have internet access, potentially by mutual consent.

bookreader

The real answer is it wants to. Its fundamentally designed to route all of your messages THROUGH g* (i.e., not actually SMS/MMS). You definitely need to block its network access.

rndmE

Personally I would try not to use unnecessary apps from Google. Messages seems pretty replaceable for me - someone who doesn't use SMS for a very long time.
What does the Google Messages app do better than any FOSS SMS app?
As already said in this thread: if you have any other Google app that is allowed to have network access, you can't be sure that Google does not receive informations from Messages redirected over that second app, because in general, apps can share data is they both agree.

Short: If you use any Google app with network access, don't use any other Google app from which you don't want data to leave towards Google.
The danger might be improbable but not impossible.