Questions tagged [privacy]
For questions related to enforcing you privacy on Android devices
448
questions
90
votes
5
answers
72k
views
Why do so many applications require permission to read the phone state and identity?
Why do so many applications require permission to read the phone state and identity?. Specifically:
Phone calls
read phone state and identity
For example Quickpedia is a Wikipedia portal, but ...
goldsz
59
votes
8
answers
33k
views
Are there any tools to sandbox a malware application even more than the granted permissions on Android? [closed]
Suppose I want to run some program which requests too many permissions. For example, record from the microphone or read IMEI of my phone. However, there are no practical explanation why recording from ...
- 1,516
46
votes
7
answers
13k
views
Support for Multiple Users on same device
Is there such a thing as a "current user" on Android and a way to switch it?
I'm interested in getting a Motorola Xoom and would like to share it with my wife when at home. For my Windows laptop we ...
- 573
43
votes
2
answers
47k
views
What information does stock Android send to Google by default, and how do I opt-out?
I'm about to buy my first Android phone. My understanding is that, in order to download apps and get updates from Google Play, I need to be permanently signed into a Google account that's linked to my ...
- 533
29
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Audit app permissions easily in one place?
Is there anyway to list all the applications installed on your phone and the permissions they require all on one page, or export the list so it can easily be audited?
- 19.3k
26
votes
1
answer
25k
views
Why does the new Chrome update want the permission to use my camera and audio recording?
Seriously, it specifically states that it can use the camera and audio recording any time it wants, whether or not I wish it to. Why is Chrome on Android requesting those permissions?
Should I be ...
- 647
25
votes
4
answers
247k
views
How to retrieve saved password in Google Chrome for Android?
Is there any way I can retrieve stored password specific to any URL in Google Chrome for Android. This is not in any way connected with Google Chrome running in Desktop versions. I'm able to see saved ...
- 623
24
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What Android sync'd data is encrypted?
With the release of the firesheep plug-in for firefox it has become trivial for website browsing on open Wi-Fi networks to be hijacked by 3rd party listeners.
Android offers the convenient auto-sync ...
- 1,014
23
votes
3
answers
115k
views
What does the voice privacy setting do?
In perusing the settings on my EVO today, I noticed that there is an option under call settings named "Voice Privacy". The description beneath the checkbox merely states "Enable enhanced privacy mode":...
- 36.7k
22
votes
6
answers
2k
views
I have sold my phone on eBay. What should I do before I send it off?
I have an Android phone which I just sold on eBay. What measures should I take before posting it off to its new home? Please answer thoroughly!
- 803
22
votes
5
answers
30k
views
New Facebook app activates GPS when launched -- how to disable?
This started happening with the latest Facebook app update.
I don't want to disable my GPS outright -- I like that it comes up automatically when I call Google Maps. (Which usually is in a "where the ...
- 583
21
votes
4
answers
30k
views
How to use GPS without using Google Location Services
Because I do not want to consent to the Google Location Services privacy agreement I have this switched off. By doing so I know some location functionality like cell-based and wifi-based location will ...
- 335
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
When selling your phone, what steps should be taken to make sure that all personal data has been removed?
I am getting rid of my Samsung Galaxy S4 and want to know what steps I should take to make sure that private information has been deleted from the phone. I have removed the SD card and cleared all of ...
- 313
20
votes
1
answer
8k
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.
...
- 303
19
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Is there any way to erase personal information from my phone that has already been stolen?
My phone has been stolen. I do not want the thief to have access to any of my personal information such as calls, texts, and information saved in the phones contents. Is there any possible way I can ...
- 191
18
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How do I set up OpenVPN on CyanogenMod 7?
I want to route all my network traffic through my home's ISP connection when I'm out in Internet cafes so I can't be eavesdropped/firesheeped.
I have an HTC G2 with CyanogenMod 7, which has OpenVPN ...
- 3,017
17
votes
3
answers
470
views
Temporarily protect email/sms when giving device to others?
Say my cousin wants to play with my phone/tablet for a while. Let's pretend I'm really nice and pleased to let him play with it as long as he wants, but deep inside I'm a little worry about him ...
- 271
16
votes
1
answer
91k
views
What is Google Partner Setup?
What does the Google Partner Setup app that is pre-installed on almost every Android device actually do?
Why does it need each of those intrusive permissions, especially the Phone permission?
Why ...
- 4,276
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 ...
- 153
14
votes
2
answers
13k
views
What permissions are granted to an app with device administration privileges?
Does a Device Administrator application have any/all permissions such as contacts, storage, etc.. ?
It's not clear from developer.android.com device-admin whether or not these admin rights also imply ...
- 143
14
votes
2
answers
814
views
How do I prep my rooted and moded phone for resale?
I have a rooted MyTouch 3G (HTC Magic) that I want to sell to help defray the cost of my new phone. I have been running CyanogenMod on the phone. My problem lies in the fact that I don't really want ...
- 318
13
votes
2
answers
16k
views
Can the RECEIVE_SMS permission be used to intercept SMS messages?
I've noticed quite a few apps requesting the RECEIVE_SMS permission. Two things are clear to me here:
RECEIVE_SMS enables an app to "snap" incoming SMS
READ_SMS just applies to SMS already stored
As ...
Izzy♦
- 90.8k
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is there a list that explains the risks involved with each granted application permission type?
Usually an installed android app will request permissions such as
Phone calls
read phone state and identity
or
System tools
prevent phone from sleeping
But the actual consequences from a ...
- 295
13
votes
6
answers
39k
views
On Android, how to disable Google Chrome's incognito mode
If you thought that disabling incognito mode was enough to protect your children, you're probably mistaken. Let me explain.
Dear readers: Disabling incognito mode may be completely insufficient.
...
12
votes
1
answer
17k
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 ...
Izzy♦
- 90.8k
12
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What are the privacy implications of using Talk-to-Text?
Given that the Android implementation of Talk-To-Text sends your voice to Google's servers, parses your speech into text, then sends the text string back to the handset, what are the privacy ...
- 482
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How practical it is to use an Android phone, bypassing Google completely?
One of the first things that I noticed on my Nexus One as I turned it on the first time, was GMail, Talk, Voice, Maps, Google Calendar and many other Google based services.
I know that even on a ...
- 903
11
votes
2
answers
15k
views
Can I block specific apps from using GPS?
I like to leave GPS enabled so that it's ready to go when I open Maps or certain other location based apps.
However, one app that I don't want to access GPS is Facebook. There is, as far as I can ...
- 3,709
11
votes
3
answers
12k
views
Where to modify the pseudonym used to rate Android apps?
I am currently rating android applications that I downloaded with the username firstname.lastname where firstname and lastname are mine.
However, I would like to put a pseudonym on it because my real ...
- 221
11
votes
4
answers
145k
views
How to block all phone calls, but only allow SMS and networking?
It's kinda disturbing when people keep calling me during work or meetings, but to me it's okay if I receive short messages or Whatsapp message because I can reply them few minutes later in a short ...
- 171
10
votes
3
answers
9k
views
How can I make an Android app "forget" that it installed on my phone before?
Some apps, like Facebook, LinkedIn, Tinder, etc., seem to have a mechanism to remember which Android phone installed their app. So if a user is banned on these apps, the next time somebody creates an ...
- 209
10
votes
7
answers
17k
views
How do you encrypt your device running CyanogenMod 12.1?
CyanogenMod 12 and 12.1 'Encrypt phone' setting is broken, and has been for quite a while. Is there any way to encrypt the phone in some other fashion? Can CM be sideloaded onto a phone with an ...
- 902
10
votes
3
answers
37k
views
How can I automatically clear my browsing data when I exit Chrome?
I don't like having my searches and web history hanging around forever. Therefore, I wonder: Is it possible to automatically clear browsing data on exit in Google Chrome? If it cannot be done with ...
- 101
10
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What's the most complete way to erase all the data from my phone so it cannot be recovered?
I just got my replacement Droid and will be sending my current Droid back to Motorola. I'm sure they are going to refurbish it and resell it. I've backed up everything and I'm going to be keeping my ...
- 19.3k
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What lurks behind these Gmail/GTalk permissions?
I just stumbled upon some permissions which sound clear at first sight (noticed them already quite a while ago, just decided to dig deeper right now). Thinking about possible implications, I'd really ...
Izzy♦
- 90.8k
10
votes
1
answer
10k
views
Google maps wants a login now? Is there a way around this?
I've managed to get away with running my Galaxy S without every hooking it up to a Gmail account, but sometime in the last couple of weeks (I think following an OS update from Sprint) Maps started ...
- 3,423
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.
- 101
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, ...
- 343
9
votes
6
answers
20k
views
how can I randomize my MAC address every time my WiFi is turned on?
Given the increased prevalence of systems which track people's movements by their Mac addresses I'd like to obscure mine.
I have a rooted galaxy note 2 with busybox installed. I can change my MAC ...
- 211
9
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Google play store does not show all persmissions at app install
So recently, I was searching for a news app that needs few permissions as possible.
I found an app called Flipboard. Google play said I need to allow the following:
Identity
Photos/Media/Files
...
- 193
9
votes
2
answers
364
views
Is there a service that rates app security/permissions?
Is there a service/company/app that vets Android apps and reports on their "trustworthiness"?
I recently moved from Blackberry to a Galaxy S2 which does not have an LED indicator light. I searched ...
- 303
9
votes
1
answer
319
views
Privacy in Google Assistant
The other day my phone upgraded from Google Now to Google Assistant. I was having a conversation with a coworker and noticed my phone vibrate. Google Assistant had recorded the conversation and tried ...
- 91
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How is a Nexus device "provisioned" when you buy it from Google?
I noticed during checkout for the Nexus 4 that you are given the option to have it provisioned:
When purchasing a Nexus device from Google Play, you'll notice a 'Link this device to my Google ...
- 50.5k
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Security / Privacy concerns regarding custom android ROM
What are the security and privacy concerns surrounding using a custom android ROM like that of cyanogen?
- 486
8
votes
2
answers
12k
views
How to sync contacts and calendar with Linux system, without using Gmail?
How can I sync my contacts and calendar with a Linux system?
I'd prefer to sync with my desktop, but setting up a server on the internet would also be possible.
I want to avoid Google mail for ...
- 388
8
votes
2
answers
5k
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 ...
- 40.3k
8
votes
3
answers
11k
views
How to share VPN connection with devices on hotspot?
I use a VPN on my Galaxy S8+ and I am looking for a way to be able to share my ExpressVPN connection via hotspot to be able to connect devices such as Xbox One and a Smart TV. Currently cannot use a ...
8
votes
1
answer
41k
views
Read phone state and identity
I've looked at many (not all) of the dozens of links here.
Is there a list that explains the risks involved with each granted application permission type?
Most of these are not worth the time to ...
- 81
8
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Is there an Android calendar with limited security permissions?
I've just bought an entry-level Samsung Europa, running version 2.2. I'm technically-minded but new to this OS. I'd like to find a calendar that runs in limited security permissions, so that my ...
- 339
8
votes
0
answers
4k
views
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 ...
- 181