The situation is not that different for desktop OSs. Apple, at least by default, knows every app you launch on MacOS (through the security feature they have of

The situation is not that different for desktop OSs. Apple, at least by default, knows every app you launch on MacOS (through the security feature they have of checking some hash of the executable against their database). Windows collects all kinds of metrics and info about everything you do, including detailed crash dumps that leak who knows what information. Both Intel and AMD CPUs have secure enclaves that run full blown OSs that you have no control over and do who knows what; and those have access to your network devices as well. If you're running a Linux, you're probably much more protected, but even then, on Ubuntu and most other popular distros, you probably download all or most of your apps with apt or rpm from their own official repos, so they probably can get a pretty good idea of what you're running. The situation is generally better than on mobile, but unless you're taking significant pains, you're still a pretty open book to your OS manufacturer. Whether they're reading this book or not is a separate matter.