On the iPhone side, of course, there's the JailbreakMe tool, which unlocks the device's operating system in a way that could potentially be .

On the Android side, it's been the case of the data-accessing wallpaper apps--which, it turns out, to put users at risk after all.

Transmission security, meanwhile, has given the its own share of the limelight in data-monitoring nations.

Yet, while it's clear no mobile platform has perfect security--nor is that even possible--Android has a number of compelling advantages that make its apps inherently safer than those for the iPhone.

1. Application Permissions