Questions tagged [privacy]
For questions related to enforcing you privacy on Android devices
170
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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Can apps bypass permissions and just use Google Play Services?
I was reading this answer, and the first comment under it, and wondered if apps can bypass their own app permissions and just get whatever data they want from Google Play Services.
What got me ...
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7
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0
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599
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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 ...
- 4,276
4
votes
0
answers
679
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 ...
- 141
4
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306
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Privacy of in-app purchases: how much user data does the app developer get?
When a you do an in-app purchase like buying a feature or subscription the the app and the developer is getting data on your purchase.
I searched a bit the Google documentation but I wasn't able to ...
- 18.9k
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2k
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What are the privacy downsides to using Google's Gboard keyboard for Android?
For several reasons, I do what I can to avoid using Google products. But I do currently use the Android OS (at least for now).
One thing I like about Android is being able to use any keyboard app ...
- 4,276
4
votes
1
answer
644
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GET_ACCOUNTS Permission, Email Privacy
Any app with the GET_ACCOUNTS permission, may retrieve all registered accounts and email addresses stored in Account Manager. I understand this imposes serious privacy and security issues, as a phone ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
2k
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Using the GPS instead of Google Location Services in Chrome
I do not consent to Google collecting constant background information about my position at all times through their Google Location Service program. So I have got that option disabled.
I can get just ...
- 462
4
votes
1
answer
4k
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Does Wunderlist store data in the server in encrypted form?
How secure and private is Wunderlist? For example does it only transfer data in encrypted form but stores it unencrypted? I would like to be able to store passwords relating to work on my phone but am ...
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3
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157
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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
3
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answers
130
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Check for the existence of files without root privileges
How do apps check for the existence of files and folders on /data and /system partitions without having root privileges?
I know some games and apps do this for anticheat and security reasons.
3
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61
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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 ...
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3
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54
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How do some android apps know from where they have been downloaded?
If you read privacy policy of some online apps, you will find that their services also store information about from where you download their app.
I wonder if this is possible because apk is a ...
- 1,059
3
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answers
148
views
Disable loudspeaker usage for audio playback?
I get my voicemail messages by e-mail (using K-9 mail), however, when I play the attached wavefile, the loudspeaker is used for the playback, so everyone around me can listen to the message, that's ...
- 817
2
votes
1
answer
564
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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
2
votes
0
answers
266
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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
2
votes
0
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814
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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)...
2
votes
0
answers
64
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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
2
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0
answers
103
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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 ...
- 121
2
votes
0
answers
38
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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
2
votes
0
answers
39
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Accidental Whatsapp privacy breach
I exported my chat history with my friend, JJ, to my Google drive. Somehow a chat history between JJ and someone else (Meg) was exported. I have no idea who Meg is and i have no record of her in ...
- 21
2
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0
answers
505
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Here GPS tracking
I have been lured into the world of FOSS apps, apps using known trackers and loggers, DNS, and firewalls. My phone is rooted via Magisk. It's a Huawei P20 Lite. Running Havoc 2.9 and Android 9.
So I ...
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2
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answers
415
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How to hide your SSID from apps / keep your Android apps from finding your Wifi SSID?
As far as I know, all android apps are able to scan nearby / available Wifi networks. They can either get a list of nearby SSIDs, or at least they can get the SSID of the Wifi you are currently on. ...
- 191
2
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95
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Turn Android device into a wireless or USB webcam with background removal
There exist several applications such as DroidCam that can turn one's Android device into a wireless or USB webcam.
Do any of these applications have a background removal feature (= only shows the ...
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2
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577
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How to instantly wipe an Android phone in case of arrest?
A Belarusian friend asked me this, but I can't find anything on my own. Protesters in Belarus are beaten once arrested until they give up the pin code to the phone.
So, if he could give a pin code ...
- 121
2
votes
0
answers
345
views
Private one-way automatic photo upload solution?
I'm looking for something to automatically upload/sync photos from my phone to my PC or server.
Anybody knows of something that could fit my use case?
My requirements:
upload only files older ...
- 121
2
votes
0
answers
289
views
Do Magisk modules pose a privacy risk? How to overcome?
Further to this excellent answer here by Irfan Latif How Magisk works? and considering that Magisk modules need not be open sourced (Are all Magisk Modules Open Source?), the question is
Do they pose ...
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2
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1k
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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 ...
- 131
2
votes
0
answers
3k
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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 ...
- 43
2
votes
0
answers
91
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 ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
376
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 ...
- 21
2
votes
0
answers
105
views
Add contact to "Only Phone"
I can't save contacts to "Only Phone" as long as I'm logged into Xiaomi account. I have to log off to be able to (If not, I'm forced to sync new contacts either with Google account or Xiaomi's).
This ...
- 123
2
votes
0
answers
111
views
Screen privacy : Xposed module for keeping away prying eyes
I was traveling by crowded metro the other day and was engaged in a WhatsApp conversation tying up the exact location of our meeting.
I realised that my chat was pretty much visible to others close to ...
- 40.3k
2
votes
2
answers
592
views
Restrict permissons when app is in background
Is there any app, tool, ROM, etc. for Android that lets you restrict selected individual permissions of an app, ONLY when it is in the background?
This should function similarly to the "Restrict ...
- 137
2
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0
answers
80
views
Why does Setup Wizard transmit/receive data even long after the Android device has been set up?
Even weeks after Android devices (tested on KitKat) have been set up, Setup Wizard still gets called frequently.
Using Xprivacy, it is clear that Setup Wizard frequently connects to Google servers.
...
- 4,276
2
votes
1
answer
174
views
If I have to accept new terms, where I can read them up?
My favorite example for this is whatsapp.
Somewhat around May 2014 I got notified that terms had been changed and that I have to accept them and update whatsapp.
Since this was just some days after ...
- 131
2
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0
answers
72
views
Options to mitigate espionage/tracking possibilities
Which options exist in (stock/custom) firmware to mitigate smartphone espionage/tracking possibilities? I talk about things like:
Disable/use random mac/do not leak ssid on active WLAN probing
Warn ...
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2
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0
answers
5k
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Chrome - How to clear incognito pages from memory/history?
Short: As Chrome reopens the incognito pages/tabs after closing it (the browser, even after ending it in the "Active applications" list), how can one make sure those pages are forgotten by the phone?
...
2
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0
answers
459
views
Android default keyboard phoning home to Google?
I installed CyanogenMod 11 on my HTC One (M8) the other day and, so far, have only installed DAVdroid for contact synchronization and Network Log. So, out of curiousity, I let Network Log run when I ...
- 199
2
votes
1
answer
596
views
Installing Orbot as a remote SOCKS server for other computers?
I installed Orbot on my Android device and I want to make it a remote SOCKS server so that other computers can connect to it.
The TorFAQ – Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki suggests that for Tor on Windows, ...
- 153
1
vote
0
answers
48
views
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 ...
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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 ...
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1
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0
answers
45
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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”, ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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vote
0
answers
124
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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&...
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1
vote
0
answers
21
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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?
1
vote
0
answers
109
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Encryption and deleted data
I have a galaxy S8 using "default password" meaning no startup password or secure start up.
The device is still encrypted by default so all data should not be recoverable after a factory ...
- 11
1
vote
0
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145
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Do Google & OEMs always have backdoors in Android devices?
In a helpful comment on this Android Stackexchange question, prominent contributor alecxs states:
google and OEMs will always have own backdoors in propritary [sic] blobs for baseband/modem etc - you ...
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vote
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654
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Suspicious data usage by apps
Here are a list of apps that I found on my phone:
Now all of these apps seem to be preinstalled as they aren't device administrators and are impossible to disable or uninstall.
They all seem to be ...
1
vote
0
answers
27
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Do keyboard apps which are enabled but not selected have access to input text?
I installed a keyboard app on Android 6 and when enabling it, the OS showed a warning that the keyboard app has access to input text.
Since the warning appeared on enabling, not selecting, this ...
- 121