Questions tagged [privacy]
For questions related to enforcing you privacy on Android devices
1
vote
1answer
9 views
Keeping passwords/credentials out of the cloud
Under what circumstances will a current Android sync or otherwise send passwords off the device? The credentials in question are for:
WiFI
Non-Gmail email accounts accessed through the stock Gmail ...
-2
votes
0answers
17 views
How to limit an app's excessive violations of privacy? [duplicate]
I'm considering installing the AMC Theaters app on my phone. On iOS, this is a very nice app and does not attempt to steal data. On Android however, it demands access to a vast amount of private data. ...
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0answers
34 views
Is “work profile” a AOSP feature, where is it documented?
I was not able to find much documentation regarding how the "work profile" feature (or maybe it is called android-for-work) works.
It seems the feature attempts to provide two distinct user profiles (...
0
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0answers
13 views
SD card not encrypted
I have an android device lg v30 and recently I purchased an sdcard for it. Naturally, I enabled encryption on the sd card (full encryption). Encryption completed successfully. I used the card for ...
0
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0answers
76 views
Use multiple Google accounts, but allow only one to locate my phone in device manager
My question is basically identical to this question from 2016 (I would have commented on it but I don't have sufficient reputation):
How to use multiple google accounts, but allow only one to locate ...
5
votes
0answers
96 views
What are the privacy implications of apps that use Android System WebView?
From what I've researched, Android System WebView supports cookies and HTML5 local storage.
When do those cookies and local storage items get cleared?
For example, Samsung Messenger (Samsung's ...
-2
votes
2answers
92 views
How can I make my phone require a password to open Google Play Store?
I want my phone to require a password to enter the Google Play app, so if I let someone else, such as a friend, use my phone they can't go into the app and snoop around.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S9 ...
0
votes
2answers
127 views
Can I prevent Google from collecting data by using a custom ROM?
Choosing a smartphone based on the operating system on a smartphone comes down to two options: Android or iPhone.
Both collect personal data, track activities and track location.
But with Android ...
0
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1answer
44 views
Google Calendar Privacy Issues
Does Google have access to the data stored in my Google Calendar?
As Google Calendar seems to be the best option for Android users and is widely used, I was wondering if Google actually uses your ...
1
vote
1answer
104 views
Automatically change wifi and bluetooth MAC address
I recently learned that it's quite easy to track people with their wifi MAC address and Bluetooth address in stores, etc. I was wondering if there are any drawbacks of changing these addresses ...
0
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0answers
35 views
Are non-Google emails stored only locally when using the Gmail app? [duplicate]
The Gmail app allows to add non-Google email provides (via POP and IMAP).
Is it mentioned somewhere that the emails pulled from these providers stay on the device and are not stored/shared with ...
2
votes
0answers
69 views
Hide the PIN entry on stock lock screen
Is it possible to hide the visual feedback on the PIN entry on the Android stock lock screen?
The feedback makes it pretty easy for anybody standing near to watch the PIN:
I know that it is possible ...
3
votes
1answer
225 views
How to disable hidden trackers, in google play store applications
So most applications, on google play have hidden trackers, analytics they don't tell you about. This site lets you search any app shows trackers. The article explains what i'm talking about.
Example: ...
1
vote
0answers
44 views
Create a private folder in Android: set the SELinux attribute of a folder in external storage
There are quite a few apps that require read and write access to the external storage, which gives them access to the whole /sdcard directory. But since that is also the only storage the user ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
What does the read contact permission really mean in Android 5.x?
I've been playing around with the XPosed module ProtectMyPrivaccy, and I noticed that Offline Maps requires "read contacts" permission when doing a POI (Point Of Interest) search.
I can see how ...
5
votes
2answers
231 views
Does an adblocker defeat the tracking part of the ad module, or just the display of ads?
Related, but different than, these two questions, I'd like to know if the usual ad blockers on Android do anything to prevent user tracking from ad modules. Those questions are several years old by ...
1
vote
1answer
163 views
If I have a phone contact and I sync my contacts to my google account then will the contact see my email address in his contacts?
If he has a google account too and I sync my contacts to my google account with his phone number then will google notice that we are in phone contact and therefore show my email contact to him in his ...
0
votes
1answer
115 views
Can app with Storage permission access all data?
When I give Storage Permission to an app, is it true that it is able to access all data on the internal and external media, for instance the Downloads folder? Or does it only get access to store and ...
3
votes
1answer
592 views
WhatsApp: How to isolate contacts and photos - Privacy concerns
Whatsapp is ubiquitous and is commonly used despite the long scary list of permissions it seeks ( see Help understanding Whatsapp's permissions )
Privacy and security conscious people would like ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How does an app reads an OTP SMS without SMS permission?
I have recently installed an Android app from the Play Store.
While registering in it, I realized that it was able to read my message of OTP without even asking for my permission to read the message.
...
3
votes
1answer
459 views
Can an app update from Play Store reinstate its permissions I've disabled earlier?
There are quite a few apps out there that request too many permissions during install time, most of them seem highly dubious. I tend to disable permissions I feel unlikely to be used and for the most ...
0
votes
1answer
134 views
Prevent google backup of contacts?
I have Google backup turned off permanently, however my contacts are still backed-up somewhere to Google cloud. I discovered that yesterday from another device that offered me to recover my contacts ...
1
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0answers
723 views
How to greatly improve privacy against Google apps such as Play Services?
This is really a long and tiresome journey. So I hope you become my companion!
Device info changed with build.prop and XPrivacy/Lua. Magisk/Xposed in Systemless mode.
I am on my way to achieve ...
0
votes
0answers
62 views
How to hide all contact numbers and allow dialing only using contact name?
I intend to buy a new android phone and give it to our security guard so he can make calls to everyone in the company from the office gate. I do not want him to have access to the actual phone numbers ...
0
votes
0answers
46 views
Can I log out of Google completely on my Andoid 'phone?
This page says
While you can't log out of your main Google account and continue to
use your Android, you can remove additional Google accounts ...
I am unhappy with Google's invasion of my ...
3
votes
0answers
52 views
Which user data are apps able to collect by default?
On Android, I used to prefer the mobile website of services instead of their app because of possible privacy concerns. Now I'm wondering if this is actually unnecessary.
So my question is: Which ...
1
vote
1answer
226 views
Disable “unlock with voice” notifications Xperia XA1
tl:dr - despite repeatedly choosing the "no thanks" option, my phone keeps displaying notifications to setup voice unlock. I Say "no" - as far as I know it is not enabled - but an hour later it asks ...
0
votes
1answer
163 views
Create several Gmail accounts anonymously using only one Android tablet without letting Google know that they are created from the same single tablet?
I would like to anonymously create several Gmail accounts using only one Android tablet (but not phone) without letting Google know that the accounts are created from the same single tablet. I do not ...
1
vote
0answers
372 views
Lineage OS — Phone still spying on me?
I switched from Android to Lineage OS, and I installed the most basic Gapps package possible, called 'pico', to get the bare minimum requirement for the Google Play store. I then manually disabled ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
My J5 flashed automatically for the the second time!
I have a Galaxy J5 2016 (SM-J510F). Rooted and updated to Android 7.1.1 about one year ago.
Weeks ago while I was in bed and reading some news on Telegram app suddenly the front LED flashed. In a ...
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0answers
52 views
Android Gmail tracks links pressed - stop it
Google uses URLs that start with something like "http://www.google.com/...", which redirect you to what you expected after they report what you're interested in, on many of its services. Between ...
0
votes
0answers
705 views
How can I setup a local SOCKS5 proxy that doesn't require Android VPN service?
I need a local SOCKS5 proxy server that doesn't use the Android VPN service. Why? Because I want to chain it with the no-root firewall NetGuard. NetGuard already uses the Android VPN service. ...
0
votes
1answer
383 views
Can't change MAC address on Rooted Android Nextbook Ares 8
I rooted my Nextbook Ares 8" tablet, model NXA8QC116, so I could change the MAC address and host name, as I hate personal data mining and user behavior monitoring.
Device specifics: Model NXA8QC116S, ...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
Privacy of WhatsApp messages
My husband has taken over my Android since he's the account holder. I'm wondering can he get any call or text information from my WhatsApp off of the T-Mobile printout of my phone activity?
5
votes
2answers
354 views
How to Audit Android Apps (for screenshot activity)
How do I audit my android's apps to determine which apps are taking screenshots of my activity?
I recently installed & ran diskdigger to undelete an image I had accidentally deleted, but the ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
Why do so many apps use location permissions on a near-constant basis?
I have an Android 5.1 device with App Permission Manager on, in order to stop apps from using permissions they don't need. Recently, I have noticed that many apps are trying to obtain my location when ...
2
votes
0answers
74 views
What kind of information can an Android app from the Play Store with zero permissions enabled gather about me and my phone?
Find an app in the Google Play store
Click on Install
App is installed without any permissions granted, except for the default settings (SDK >= 23)
Run the app without giving any extra runtime ...
1
vote
1answer
89 views
Prevent other users to get Whatsapp notification
Is there is any way to prevent other users to get notification when I joined Whatsapp?
Apparently, I don't want others to announce I'm using it as I'm trying to join it for only selective friends and ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Using android without a google account [duplicate]
I want to use a smartphone but I don't want to create a google account. I don't want to share any information either and I don't want to be trackable (more than what can be done by phone company ...
0
votes
1answer
103 views
What information is available to an application?
What information about the phone is available to an app without extra permissions?
E.g., if the app asks for permission to see my contacts, and I agree, it will see all my contacts (obviously).
...
1
vote
1answer
3k views
Is it possible to disable gmail sync completely, without logging out?
Is it possible to completely disable all Gmail synchronization, without actually logging out of the account?
The use case is a phone for a senior who does not read email on the phone. For senior ...
1
vote
0answers
83 views
Is there a fully secure way to do speech-to-text?
Is there a secure way to do speech-to-text that ideally uses end-to-end encryption and guarantees my privacy on an android phone? A solution that requires root access is acceptable, as is a solution ...
0
votes
1answer
277 views
How to secure install untrusted app
I need to use of Google Play Store app for my project. This app is prepared by unknown to me Chinese GPS devices' manufacturer and I want to use it to communicate with device.
App is published on ...
1
vote
0answers
87 views
App exits on its own if certain permissions are denied. Any way to prevent?
Some jerk apps, if certain permissions are denied to them, exits on its own. This forced the user to grant permission to use, which contradicts with appops' intention.
Is there a way to prevent such ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
does airplane mode stop phone from pinging towers?
with recent riot's in Iran, there is saying that even with the phone in airplane-mode, it's pinging nearby towers, giving away location data and information such as that.
this is a really big security ...
1
vote
0answers
655 views
Unknown apps - My Consumer Cellular and Prip
I've purchased MotoG4 Plus (Unlocked) around Summer 2016 at Amazon(India). I've been using the phone since then and have been extremely cautious about the apps I use on my phone.
Whilst playing ...
5
votes
1answer
5k views
Captive Portal parameters
There are several captive portal parameters one could apply to an Android device via settings put global – the most famous probably being
settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0
to ...
2
votes
1answer
284 views
Prevent apps from getting list of installed apps on phone
How I can prevent apps from knowing which apps I've installed?
Is there something in premissions in settings or hack or trick with root access apps?
0
votes
0answers
74 views
Introspecting/monitoring apps to see whether they steal user data
It appears that a number of apps on the market place require a number of 'permissions' such as permission to access the files/photos, text messages, contacts, browser history, etc of the phone, ...
1
vote
1answer
408 views
Can Hike messenger steal our whatsapp data
As per new update of Hike messenger, giving reward upto ₹10000 for making your friend join Hike. To do this Hike asks accessbility permission. And when you refer a friend or a group, all messeges ...
