Questions tagged [privacy]
For questions related to enforcing you privacy on Android devices
448
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Can one add a virtual background with the latest version of Microsoft Teams on Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (US version)?
I read contradictory statements.
E.g.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msteams/forum/all/background-effect-on-samsung-s21/8ecfca7a-d025-47ee-9cb7-abcea99fa68f:
Hi, I just got my new Samsung S21 ...
- 2,434
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0
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24
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rooted lineageos: mount /sdcard as ext4 with support for ownership/permissions bits [duplicate]
It seems the partition corresponding to /sdcard is formatted as a FAT variant in android. As a result, it does not support ownership/permissions:
/sdcard/Signal $ ls -lrth
total 116M
-rw-rw---- 1 root ...
1
vote
1
answer
127
views
Connection to DoT server is not retried
I'm running my own DNS-over-TLS server under my domain (dns.example.com). On my Motorola G100, which is running Stock Android 11, I can set the private DNS to this domain and it works.
This works on ...
- 121
2
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60
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What kind of smartphone should I be buying if my one and only use is going to be "BankID"? [closed]
In Sweden, there's a bunch of very confusing "e-id" things, but it basically boils down to this: you need something called "Mobile BankID".
In theory, there are other solutions, ...
- 21
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22
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Can the Samsung contact app be configured not to show suggestions when entering a new contact?
Can the Samsung contact app be configured not to show suggestions when entering a new contact? The default behavior of showing suggestions is not ideal from a privacy standpoint when someone is ...
- 2,434
3
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1
answer
1k
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How to access texts on rooted Android device from terminal
How do I access text messages on my rooted device using the command line?
I specifically want to extract a text transcript, without using any cloud services and thereby exposing sensitive or personal ...
- 161
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49
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Android app can see what kind of app installed on my phone
I privacy concern about my android 9 phone, my employer ask me to install app on my personal phone.
Can this app see what apps installed on my personal phone.
If I allowed to this app camera access ...
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95
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Can I give an app the permission to see my calls without allowing to read all my notifications?
I bought one of these cheap smartwatches (Xiaomi Mi Band 4c). To use it, I need to install the Xiaomi Wear app.
I really like the option to notify me when I get a call. This way I keep my phone in ...
- 49
3
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0
answers
131
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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.
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749
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Auto IMEI randomization in Android (like WiFi MAC randomization)
How do I set the IMEI number to automatically randomly change every time I connect to a cellular network?
Android 9 introduced a feature that was a huge boon to the privacy of Android users: WiFi MAC ...
- 364
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52
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My kids see my phone's location on Google Maps
Yesterday my kids showed me that they can see my Android phone's location in the Google Maps app on their phones. Their phones are managed by Google Family Link because they are under 13.
They can ...
- 269
0
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1
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758
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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 ...
- 81
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0
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293
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How is Google Play services still running after disabling?
A while ago I disabled Google Play services, Google Play Store and lots of other Google apps in my phone.
Below is a screenshot.
One can see that Google Play services is still having cached ...
1
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0
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138
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Are my personal files safe after factory reset?
I am planning to sell my phone Redmi Note 7 running Android 9 which is already unlocked bootloader but no root access, is my data can still be recovered through Android software recovery? I don't want ...
Roxas
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1
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1k
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How secure are Pixel Recorder files?
I noticed that the files stored on Pixel's Recorder app (if not backed up/synced) cannot be easily imported from other apps.
They are stored in /data/data/com.google.android.apps.recorder/files/...
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2
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0
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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
3
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1
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1k
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How to prevent an app from sharing its data with Google?
The changelog of a popular SMS/MMS app, Textra, states:
Textra is now backed up automatically [emphasis added] using the built-in Google Backup service. Makes it so easy to swap devices or uninstall /...
- 4,276
0
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1
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274
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Can an app that has permission to access the photos copy them?
i'm really wondering and can't find answer. Google Play from the store every downloaded apps want to access photos. Permission content read the contents of your usb, modify or delete the contents of ...
1
vote
1
answer
132
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Privacy effects of disabling notifications through Android settings
Assumption
My question assumes the following situation, that is what I could understand about Google's push notifications system. If I misunderstood anything, please correct me here.
When a web ...
- 123
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0
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51
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Does Samsung Knox keep a log of every app running on this device?
I was reading the policy of Samsung's Knox and it states that they keep the log of your personal data and apps running on your device. This is like a spyware itself by the company. Is this true?
- 11
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32
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What's the best way to protect my rooted Android 7 from malware and hacking?
Considering I have to use cellular data and being not connected to the internet is not an option, what measures can I take or tools I can use to keep myself protected from prying eyes?
My first step ...
- 401
2
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0
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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 ...
- 21
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2
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84
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What are the requirements to have the change your background feature enabled in Microsoft Teams?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-your-background-for-a-teams-meeting-f77a2381-443a-499d-825e-509a140f4780 mentions:
Note: If you don't see this option in the menu, the feature might ...
- 2,434
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132
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How to stop installed apps accessing the unique hardware identifiers for the device?
I understand that Unique hardware IDs such SSAID, IMEI, serial number, and Advertising ID are accessible by installed applications on Android phones and that enterprises and certain governments make ...
- 111
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56
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What kind of data do Google and Samsung collect from the OS itself?
Not including apps and websites. I've switched to open source phone, SMS, calendar, etc. and I use the DuckDuckGo browser to try to block some of the web trackers. What kind of data can Google and ...
1
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0
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314
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How can I "Show all notification content" for one app, but "Hide sensitive content" for all others?
I'm using a timer app, Multi Timer Free, but it doesn't show the time remaining on the lock screen. Meanwhile, Google's Clock app does. I want to set it to Show all notification content, but when I ...
- 113
1
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1
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435
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With Android, does a factory reset truly reset the device to the same as it was when it left the factory (unlike an iPhone)?
When you reset an iPhone, my understanding is that the device does not truly get reset to how it was when it exited the factory.
What about with an Android device? Does performing a factory reset on ...
- 4,276
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32
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Can an app find out if the Android phone it's running on supports Bluetooth 4.3 privacy extensions?
I need to find out if the phone my app is running on supports the BT 4.2 bluetooth privacy extensions. If so, it will tell a BT connected device to do the same, if not it will not enable it.
Is there ...
- 101
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114
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Would using a VPN, different browser and XprivacyLua prevent a website from remembering me?
Let's say I registered at a website using Google Chrome on my phone, then later on I used a VPN and Firefox restricted through XprivacyLua to access the same website. Would it be able to know that it ...
- 401
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0
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102
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How can I install and use apps on my phone with neither of them knowing about the other?
For example I want to install app Y on my phone, but I don't want my Google account (which I'm using to use my Android) to know that I'm using the app or any information that I enter in it...and I ...
- 401
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57
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Is there a way to download and use an app from Google play store with the creators of the app getting any information about me?
Basically without the app knowing anything about my Google account and consequently anything else other than the information I directly provide it.
Is there a way to achieve that?
Phone is rooted.
- 401
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83
views
Can applications access users information without having ( camera , microphone or etc) permissions?
I recently became very suspicious of apps. And a few questions have occupied my mind, please help me
Is there any way that an application can access the camera without having the camera permission ...
undertaker
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84
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How to determine default enabled permissions for for pre-installed applications?
Many Android apps that are pre-installed by manufacturers have extensive and intrusive requested permissions.
When looking at the permissions of each app via Settings > Apps, some of the ...
- 4,276
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125
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An Android App for blocking trackers completely using AI
About my device:
Android version: 10
ROM: Stock ROM(Android One)
Bootloader status: Unlocked and Rooted with Magisk 21.4 Stable
Tweaks that I've done till today:
AdAway
AfWall+
Warden
Ditched ...
- 183
4
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2
answers
9k
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What are all these Google internet hosts (domains) and why is stripped-down Android connecting to all of them?
Technology users are faced with a challenge: Allowing our tech devices to work without them invading our privacy.
Obviously choosing products carefully is a critical step. Unfortunately, the two main ...
- 4,276
2
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0
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415
views
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
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1
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246
views
What privacy sensitive metadata does an APK package contain?
What information possibly sensitive information is included in apk files?
The obvious metadata are of course the fields in the signing certificate. But what about (absolute) file paths, user names ...
- 385
2
votes
1
answer
299
views
Can an app installed from the Google Playstore install another app with different permissions?
I installed an app for custom notifications from the Playstore. The app requires sensitive permissions (camera, contacts, and storage), but has no network access. When I selected a setting the app ...
- 33
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0
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130
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No Graphene or Lineage support...am I stuck carrying a google-tracker now? (LG "Journey" on Tracfone)
I prefer flip phones but now I need web access while on job-site, I don't know why I thought I could just put Lineage onto any handset (swore you could just root a phone and put a new OS on, didn't ...
- 11
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0
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70
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How secure is your data in Android when an app is given access to storage, camera, contacts
I am just trying to understand that, these days most of the apps require access to things like camera, storage, contacts.
Is there any data privacy link to read through for an app consumer to know ...
- 271
4
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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 ...
- 183
2
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1
answer
2k
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Is there a way for a website or app to view the contents of my internal storage without my permission?
I see there are a lot of articles about the restrictions imposed on JavaScript in Windows Chrome. It can't access the filesystem of a user without the user himself uploading it to the server of the ...
- 21
10
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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
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0
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596
views
How to clear the Android file chooser history?
When using many different Android apps, a native file chooser is displayed to allow the user to select a file to process.
For example, in the well-regarded Privacy Browser web browser, visiting the ...
- 4,276
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1
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1k
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How to start the kiwi browser always incognito mode?
I want to start the kiwi browser always in incognito mode.
How can i do it ?
I know there is a option to click on incognito mode, But I want it to start with incognito mode.
- 101
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32
views
Lock computer USB connection with anther password
I'm looking for a way to lock computer USB connection with second password, not with the regular lock screen password but with a different password. Thus, people who already know the password of my ...
- 95
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1
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131
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Is there a way to give permissions temporarily?
Is there a way to take away permissions when i leave an app? i dont have root and also no intention to root. is it possible to do this with adb or something??
user335591
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1
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206
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"Screen Recording" in LG Android [duplicate]
I have an LG V40, and in both Android 9 and 10, it seems that the "Screen Recording" app is always running, and not possible to keep it Stopped.
Greenify shows it as running in "...
- 375
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2
answers
1k
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Is there an alternative to Bouncer- Temporary app permissions?
I'm really paranoid about my privacy idk why. Recently I installed Whatsapp Aero which is super cool but unfortunately its developer is expert in making spyware apps too. I found this Bouncer app ...
- 1,510
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58
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How to monitor SMS being sent by apps?
I just found from my mobile bill that SMS is being sent out to some 4 digit number (permium number) from my mobile. I could not find the message in my SMS app - "Messages".
I checked with ...
- 101