-1

When an app asks for permissions for my media folder for example, does this mean it can access anything in my media folder?

Are apps isolated to only save/read from a subfolder inside my media folder that is specific to that app?

Example, can an app potentially download all of my camera pictures?

I was using Whatsapp, and it wanted special permissions whenever I tried to download a voice message or picture.

| improve this question | |
  • Yes, and it can access anything stored inside your storage, be it external or internal SD card. All it takes is this: developer.android.com/reference/android/… – Firelord♦ Apr 25 '16 at 21:34
  • @Firelord is this the same with IOS? I thought apps are sandboxed and the storage would be also sandboxed except if you give permission for things like contacts etc. – cool breeze May 2 '16 at 14:26
  • Internal storage as in /data/ is sandboxed but internal sd card as in /sdcard/ is not. I do not know how iOS handles sandboxing. – Firelord♦ May 2 '16 at 14:31
0

All apps can read and write files; it is a core requirement for most of them and not something that needs to be granted via permissions. There aren't all that many apps that don't store/read any data.

So yes, when you grant the "Read external storage" permission or similar you are granting access to a common storage area. Such apps could potentially upload all of the pictures stored there, yes.

| improve this answer | |

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.