The passive data collection method is sometime more reliable because the direct query method might not be available or possible through a 3rd party channel application. Accordingly, an improved data collection method is provided. The method includes: running a channel application located on a first layer of an operating system of a user device; receiving an application interface (API) call, from the channel application, for a graphic rendering module located on a second layer of the operating system, wherein the graphic rendering module is a non-video playback module; intercepting metadata sent to the graphic rendering module; determining identifying information of a content based on the intercepted metadata; and storing the determined identifying information of the content.