Questions tagged [privacy]
For questions related to enforcing you privacy on Android devices
448
questions
3
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0
answers
157
views
Why does Firefox app connect to Facebook sites very often according to TrackerControl?
I noticed for a while using the app TrackerControl that Firefox connects to Facebook sites very often while I surf the web, for example a simple search on Google, or a search on Startpage.com which ...
- 31
5
votes
1
answer
453
views
How does Tinder get SMS verification code? [duplicate]
When you log into Tinder you can use your mobile number. Tinder sends you a verification code via SMS. Tinder automatically detects this number and can log you in.
Tinder has only permission to show ...
- 18.9k
0
votes
0
answers
84
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Why is Google's Play Store suddenly trying to update apps installed via F-Droid?
Historically, Google did not mess with Android apps installed via the open source F-Droid project.
Suddenly, however, Google's Play Store is now trying to update apps installed via F-Droid.
There are ...
- 4,276
7
votes
1
answer
5k
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I keep seeing a popup in Android: "Install now to control when your device updates" - is my phone compromised?
I am seeing this popup displayed occasionally over more than one app (in this image, it is appearing over my calendar app).
This appeared on a Google Pixel 6 Pro, which is updated to the latest ...
- 15.6k
2
votes
1
answer
548
views
Share to app: Remove suggested people to share with (non-rooted Android 14)
When you want to "share" a file to an app,
a line of "recommended people to share with" appears above the apps:
Problem: I often need to perform demos on my phone, and for privacy ...
- 5,226
0
votes
1
answer
7k
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How can I disable the official YouTube app's incognito mode?
Preface: A warning for parents
If you want to protect your kids, disabling Incognito mode is usually not enough. If your kids are under age 13, it's wise to use a good filter to block the YouTube app ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
33
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Got recommend YouTube videos that my friend is watching from his offline laptop
So, my friend was watching a movie. His laptop was offline for the last 2 days. When I opened my YouTube, I got recommended a scene from the same movie. It is highly unlikely to be a probable incident....
- 15.6k
0
votes
0
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30
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About Data safety section in Play store?
In the "Data safety" section of apps in Play Store, when it shows
Data collected: photos and videos
or
Data shared: photos and videos.
What does it mean? Or if some apps do not show it, ...
- 15.6k
15
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Is there a contact book that allows partial access for apps?
In my phone book, I have both personal contacts and work-related contacts, like clients, contractors, etc.
Applications such as 'WhatsApp' are great and easy, but I do not necessarily want to add all ...
- 15.6k
1
vote
0
answers
48
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How do I physically remove the radio chips on a phone?
I recently dived down into the world of privacy and looked at how many privacy advocates would physically remove the microphones and cameras on their phones by desoldering them.
However, when I ...
- 15.6k
2
votes
4
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14k
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How to use a firewall AND a VPN?
I'm using the only open source firewall for Android: NetGuard and would like to use a VPN in addition. Is this possible? If so: how?
Both types of apps typically use virtual VPN tunnels. NetGuard has ...
1
vote
0
answers
42
views
Unsual Firewall Traffic from Phone and Messaging Storage Group
I'm using Rethink DNS to monitor traffic.
I'm curious as to why the 'Phone and Messaging Storage' group would be reaching out to google domains in addition to app.hubspot.com.
Attached are the ...
- 11
9
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Get new random MAC for same SSID without factory reset on Android 10+
Here is the MAC Randomization described and stated:
Note: Randomized MAC addresses are generated per SSID and are persistent.
I can confirm after deleting the SSID, rebooting, and connecting again, ...
- 15.6k
3
votes
1
answer
48
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Remove devices from 2FA of Google sign in
I have 7 devices (mostly tablets and smartphones) where I am logged in with my Google account. However, 4 of those devices I usually take to shows/concerts and I am afraid of someone stealing them or ...
batata004
1
vote
0
answers
44
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Blocking specific app notifications access is cleared after app update
This behavior is consistent both on real Pixel devices running the latest version of Android 13 and on emulated devices running Android 13 in Android Studio.
A specific app, let’s call the app “X”, ...
- 15.6k
7
votes
3
answers
99k
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Why do I need a Gmail account to use Android? [closed]
I am a new user of Android phone. I used to own an iPhone. I don't remember needing an Apple account besides using it to download applications from app store. Now I need a Gmail account to do even ...
- 275
4
votes
2
answers
2k
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Permission system changes with Android 6.0: What are the implications for us users?
With Android 6.0, a bunch of permissions and permission groups have been removed:
Groups gone
While on a first glance this doesn't seem important (isn't it rather a way to organize permissions?) – ...
7
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Why do QR scanner apps want to access my contact list?
I want an app to scan the occasional QR code which usually should contain an URL.
The other day, I meant to download an app for that and searched the market for one that does not want access to all my ...
- 15.6k
0
votes
0
answers
73
views
What are some ways to prevent an application from getting a device "fingerprint"?
Despite using a VPN, an application natively running on an Android device can get lots of information about its host (like hardware IDs or SIM card information) which defeats the whole point of using ...
- 15.6k
0
votes
0
answers
59
views
How to give an app permission to see a subset of contacts
Some apps require access to my contacts list in order to function (e.g. WhatsApp). I am concerned about the privacy implications of giving permission to apps to see my entire contacts list, which may ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
151
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"Read phone status and identity" privacy issue
Multiple apps released in my country require the android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE permission which means not only they get to know my phone number, they also get my IMEI. My second concern is that ...
0
votes
0
answers
76
views
DuckDuckGo App Tracking Protection
As you might be aware duckduckgo recently launched there app tracking protection to block hidden trackers account apps in the device.
Link: app-tracking-protection
Now, I have been running this ...
- 101
2
votes
0
answers
265
views
Firefox for Android: How to specify timezone ≠ UTC with `privacy.resistFingerprinting=true`?
I use Firefox for Android (Mull). I have "resist fingerprinting" (privacy.resistFingerprinting in about:config) enabled. That results in Firefox being forced to report its time in UTC to ...
- 201
4
votes
1
answer
12k
views
Sync DuckDuckGo bookmarks between devices?
Is it possible to sync DuckDuckGo bookmarks between devices?
I wonder if the reason I haven't found anything is it defeats the main purpose of DDG, being a privacy browser?
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
756
views
How to stop showing "online toast message" of mine to other gbwhatsapp users
This is very annoying that gbwhatsapp users are able to get toast notification when I come online from official WhatsApp App account(I am not using gbWhatsApp)
I am talking about getting instant ...
- 1,510
0
votes
1
answer
118
views
Local contacts only under Android 11?
I'm using Android 11 on my rooted Pixel 5 phone. It turns out that the Contacts app under this OS does not allow access of device-only contacts. I can only access contacts via a shared Google account.
...
- 575
1
vote
2
answers
16k
views
Why is "wpa_supplicant.conf" file invisible?
My device LG e510 : Android 2.3 had been rooted and then I changed the privileges to view and see some system files, especially for wpa_supplicant.conf, with RootExplorer app.
But unlike most people,...
-1
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can an app access my browser history from other apps?
I've always thought that if an app has to get access to certain information on your phone, you have to give it permission in the "permissions" settings in phone settings.
However, on Google ...
- 15.6k
1
vote
0
answers
53
views
The Android system can access the microphone when it is used?
The android blocks multiple aplications using the microphone at same time, for example, but the internal apps or the system can have access to it even on use?
I'm asking this question because I want ...
- 11
10
votes
1
answer
8k
views
How to find out learned words in Gboard?
Where can i find the words learned by google keyboard? I can't find nothing on the internet about where it is saved or how to find saved words that GBoard learned automatically.
- 107
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votes
1
answer
2k
views
How to completely remove Google from an Android device?
So tired of Google running in the background even when I block it. Installing unauthorized apps. Monitoring and snooping. It's involved in many places and not security minded.
I am for privacy and I ...
- 1,215
3
votes
1
answer
879
views
Why network activity is detected from apps after VPN firewall blocks them?
A few non-rooted (no rooted) Android 7 and 8 phones from (Huawei, ZTE, Neffos and Samsung) were tested in this simple firewall (NetGuard) experiment. A selection of apps (including apps from the phone ...
- 15.6k
6
votes
1
answer
10k
views
How to use multiple google accounts, but allow only one to locate my phone in device manager
I am using multiple google accounts, both private and company accounts.
I want to see all calendars in my Calendar app. Events in all calendars. Same with Gmail. I want to be logged in and be able to ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
0
answers
807
views
How to revoke all authorizations (to private data) given to Xiaomi in MIUI?
On Xiaomi Mi Note 10 there are three prompts asking for authorizations:
When opening Bereinigung (the stock cleaning app; I tried using that because I still can't delete caches with Xiaomi Mi Note 10)...
1
vote
0
answers
385
views
How do I know if files have been copied from my phone to a laptop via USB. Knowing I gave permission for file transfer
I connected my phone to someone's laptop so they could give me a certain file but I'm suspecting they used the opportunity to copy files from my phone to their device. Is there any chance a log is ...
- 4,276
-1
votes
1
answer
67
views
Why does this app from F-droid ask for location?
I find Syncopoli interesting for backup of own data. It's like rsync for the phone. But it asks for location and I wonder why would the app need it? I'm not terribly paranoid, I'm just privacy aware.
- 40.3k
4
votes
0
answers
677
views
ADB/PM command to disable data and wifi access for Apps
Is there a way via adb shell to disable an apps access to WiFi and Data? I'd like to turn off internet for all apps and then selectively turn it on for required apps.
I know the manual way by going to ...
- 4,276
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why does Phone Link require internet access?
I noticed that Microsoft's Phone Link app does not work without an internet connection. Some other apps discover and connect directly to your mobile device via your local Wifi or USB.
I am concerned ...
- 26
3
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Does "Draw over other apps" permission allow the app the see the content of the background app?
For example, if I have the Messenger bubble open in the foreground and I am browsing through my photos in the background, can an app like Messenger see the photos in the background and record this ...
- 15.6k
3
votes
4
answers
105k
views
How can I prevent someone from tracking my Android phone? Otherwise, how can I fake the location?
I have a Samsung Galaxy. I have heard that I can turn off my data, GPS locator, or the phone itself but I would like to be able to keep my phone with me and on at all times and have normal ...
- 18.5k
1
vote
0
answers
121
views
Turn off section called "new" in Google Photos app
When I want to show pics to people, Google Photos first shows whatever is "new", for instance "Screenshots" below:
It is often unflattering.
Question: How to remove the "new&...
- 5,226
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Is it safe to give accessibility permission to an app?
So I use the app from Cleanbrowsing and gave the accessibility permission to it and saw that it can view my screen, action and inputs, perform actions and control the display.
Is this app even safe to ...
- 15.6k
2
votes
0
answers
64
views
What are all those different localhost domains that apps connect to?
I'm using the Blokada adblocker on my phone, which acts as a vpn and can show me all the domains that apps request to connect to and let me switch them between an accept list and a deny list. Whenever ...
- 21
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Stop GMS Firebase Indexing from collecting all of the personal data
When I was playing with settings on my Nokia 6.1 Plus running a stock ROM Android 10 with bootloader unlocked and rooted with Magisk v21+, I noticed that Firebase App Indexing that comes under Google ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
375
views
Rescind 'find my device' location permission in Google account
I had lost my phone somewhere in the same room I was in. To make it ring in Google's find my phone feature, I had to give it full permission to process it's location data. How do I rescind these ...
- 697
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How do Android apps access phone's simcard and determine the location/country without permission?
I noticed there are apps like Shazam or Tiktok that can find my location/country and offer local content even when I use VPN. my VPN doesn't have any IP/DNS leak.
When I remove the simcard or make it ...
- 4,276
2
votes
0
answers
99
views
How is Google Assistant listening all the time without a notification?
In Android, if an app wants to run in the background, it usually needs to create a service that runs in the background (and/or after boot is completed). So, if the app wants to listen to the ...
- 15.6k
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Does Truecalller app leak your phonebook?
Sometimes, I cannot find new contacts that I add to the Truecaller phonebook, but sometimes, I think if it shares/leaks my contacts to the public. It shows other people's contact details that I never ...
- 15.6k
2
votes
0
answers
37
views
Web browsers' privacy - how much does the OS know?
TL;DR: When using 3rd-party web browsers (e.g. Firefox), how much does the OS (Android) know about the user's activities?
Most information on the internet about privacy-focused web browsers focuses on ...
- 21
1
vote
0
answers
21
views
Does a bank see email address of a Google account if I add a credit card to google pay
If I add a credit card to my Google pay what Google account details is my bank able to see if any?
