Questions tagged [privacy]
For questions related to enforcing you privacy on Android devices
448
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1
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124
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Is Google aware of multiple user profiles sharing the same Android device?
If I create two user profiles* on my Google Pixel device, is Google (potentially) aware that both of them share the same device--as per privacy policy and/or actual implementation?
If so, is there any ...
- 101
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vote
1
answer
58
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Pixel phone privacy. How to exempt data sharing with google
Does anybody knows if a pixel phone is able to profile, based on the user's data although a VPN is always active on the phone.
I am also not using any Google apps. I am wondering if the profiling is ...
- 11
2
votes
0
answers
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 ...
- 2,434
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1
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578
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How can I configure Android so that all Internet traffic goes through a VPN and is blocked if the VPN isn't activated, without rooting Android?
How can I configure Android so that all Internet traffic goes through a VPN and is blocked if the VPN isn't activated, without rooting Android?
- 2,434
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
1
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1
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397
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Android Outlook over IMAP is logging in from Microsoft servers
Using Microsoft Outlook app for Android I could not add an Outlook-IMAP account on some Android tablet for some customer. However, it was no problem to add the same IMAP account to the GMail App, or ...
- 13
1
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0
answers
39
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How to access OneNote android app content on PC by connecting to PC?
Is it possible to use OneNote completely offline and transfer/read it's content on PC manually by connecting mobile device to PC? I don't want to use sync, I want it to be used completely offline and ...
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-1
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1
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117
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a sketchy person has my phone for half an hour. what should i look for? [closed]
Summary: what sketchy things, could someone do if they get your phone for half an hour. And could you do to find it out and protect yourself.
Luckily, nothing happened for me.
1
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0
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11k
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Hotspot mobile network tethering and DNS
I and probably others know, if turning on the mobile hotspot and enable wifi-tethering, we are able to use our android phone to get internet access via a notebook (and other devices of course) ...
- 111
2
votes
2
answers
891
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How can I see which applications is reading the clipboard?
Upon reading TikTok says it will stop accessing clipboard content on iOS devices, I wonder: How can I see which applications is reading the clipboard?
- 2,434
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507
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Purpose of MTK Logger
All phones with Mediatek processors have this pre-installed logging application and the data it collects is massive,right up to the plugging/out of the phone from the charger.
What is this service ...
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79
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Can I install replicant on a Galaxy A10e without bricking it?
I'm trying to UnGoogle my phone for privacy/security reasons, and from one source I heard that if you want to use a smartphone, you're better off getting a Pinephone running GrapheneOS / LineageOS. ...
9
votes
3
answers
9k
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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
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1
answer
82
views
How an Android app can restrict all my accounts on my phone?
I'm using multiple accounts for an android app in my phone. today the app blocked all my accounts because it's not allowed to have more than one . I've had android 10 on my phone . the question is:
...
2
votes
1
answer
5k
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How to remove file from "Recent Files" on android 10?
In the Files app of stock Android 10 (Pixel 2 XL), there is a "Recent" category. For privacy reasons, I wanted to delete a file in this category. As far as I have searched for this file by filename, ...
- 123
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0
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49
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Does my Smartphone Listen to me for Ads?
I was talking to a friend about a tour to a location, the next day I'm getting ads about that travel plans. I asked a friend something about the best way to root an android device... the next day when ...
- 219
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1
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3k
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What can WhatsApp access on my phone?
The app WhatsApp would like to have permission to access my device's
photos, media and files.
If I grant permission, exactly what can (could) the application access?
Can it access all of the photos ...
5
votes
4
answers
2k
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Info on and removal of COVID contact tracing in Google Play Services
Has anybody had a closer look into this module what it really does?
I want to know if the functionality will work if bluetooth is turned off.
I guess a surefire method to test this would be to remove ...
- 151
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
How to stop microphone or app on screen lock?
Discord talk channel stays broadcasting indefinitely in background even if the screen is locked.
Note that I write "background" from the user's point of view. The app has a persistent notification so ...
- 113
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vote
0
answers
57
views
Are there any downsides to encrypting an Android device?
Besides requiring a lock screen, are there any downsides to encrypting an Android device (using the native encryption)?
For example:
is there a performance decrease?
is there a temperature increase?
...
- 4,276
4
votes
1
answer
216
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Huawei without Google Play: will I be forced to create a Huawei account?
I wish to buy a Huawei P30 Lite phone. It's a phone without the Google services and play. Can I use this phone without a Huawei account? Only use F-Droid apps?
- 195
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1
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284
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Can I use an Android One device without a Google account?
I wish to buy an Android One device and install only apps from F-Droid. I don't own a Google account and don't wish to register. I don't wish to install LineageOS or other alternative firmware.
Is it ...
- 195
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0
answers
1k
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How could I prevent some smartphone's IMEI and/or ICCID leakage through getprop output?
By chance, I found some Android smartphone would leak IMEI through getprop, you could test in Termux like this:
# Tested on a Mi 5s Plus (Natrium)
$ getprop | grep imei
[persist.radio.imei]: [...
- 131
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0
answers
5k
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What are .xlog files and what can they be used for?
Im cleaning the storage on my S10+ and I noticed in the WeChat folder (Tencent) there are a bunch of .xlog files totalling nearly 3gb of space.
I know the controversies of using WeChat but I rarely ...
- 11
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
4
votes
0
answers
2k
views
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
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 ...
- 40.3k
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1
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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 ...
0
votes
1
answer
246
views
Are there ways wherein an app would think it's operating on a different phone?
That means the device ID, and IMEI and every information the app would be able to gather would be what I've pre-set.
It would, for all intents and purposes, be as if it's installed on a different ...
- 401
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89
views
Does Android store information about previous SIM cards?
Does Android store any info about previous SIM cards that have been inserted into the phone?
Can the current mobile operator access this info?
Can the current mobile operator get my GPS location ...
- 101
2
votes
1
answer
483
views
Access chats from old deactivated phone number
My sim card with my old number has been deactivated. A new user uses my old number. Does the user have access to my old chats if he or she chooses Yes to back up old chats or storage?
- 21
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0
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161
views
Are Android App Permissions Placebos (Android Pie)?
I'm looking at every app that has 'Microphone' permissions on my Android Pie Galaxy Note phone, accessed through:
Settings > Apps > Hamburger Menu > App Permissions > Microphone
Five ...
- 275
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votes
0
answers
58
views
Delete personal data from phone that can't sign in to Google
We have an old Galaxy that grandchildren use for play. No SIM card, but on wifi. The Google account previously used is obsolete, so we can't sign in. But without signing in, the "play store" won't ...
- 121
1
vote
1
answer
386
views
Can a device be tracked if bluetooth is enabled but visibility disabled?
Is it possible to track a Bluetooth signal of Bluetooth enabled Android phone with disabled visiblity? Here, tracking refers to detecting a nearby device. As an application, if an attacker has many ...
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votes
2
answers
2k
views
Hiding the content of the message while the phone is unlocked!
How can I hide the message content in this "drop down menu -- I don't know what's its name". It is hidden when the phone is locked I want to hide it when the phone is unlocked as well.
- 101
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0
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311
views
Play Store silently updates apps although auto-update is disabled
On my Samsung Galaxy Note 4, I have XPrivacy installed. This tool tells me about newly installed and updated apps.
In the Google Play store settings, I've set my "App download preference" ...
- 151
2
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0
answers
197
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How does an app (e.g. Whatsapp) automatically detect when the phone receives a 2FA SMS verification code without being granted SMS read permissions? [duplicate]
When installing some apps (for example Whatsapp) the user is required to receive a verification code on the phone via SMS.
I have noticed that some apps automatically verify this code as soon as the ...
- 139
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 ...
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?
- 492
1
vote
1
answer
248
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How to prevent most syncing with Google in Android 7.0 Nougat on Samsung devices?
In Android 7.0 Nougat on Samsung devices, you can go to Settings -> Clouds and accounts -> Accounts -> Google to see a list of all the Google sync options.
Currently,
Sync Calendar says "Tap to sync ...
- 4,276
4
votes
1
answer
7k
views
How to make a complete factory reset, without anyone being able to retrieve my data?
I will have a few Android phones that I will have to let go.
I would like to make a proper clean wipe of the data, without no one being able to retrieve them, and do a factory reset.
I have read ...
- 143
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votes
0
answers
35
views
Phone no. display on Android pie?
I am having Asus zenfone max pro M1, now updated to android pie recently. Previousely the phone came with default Oreo OS.
After checking the features of new OS , i have found out that the OS has ...
user297846
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votes
1
answer
3k
views
What is Firebase App Indexing Under Google Services Settings
Where do all these data go?
Is this a privacy issue?
Here it is. It's very intrusive !
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1
answer
732
views
How to allow an app to take screenshots automatically?
How can I allow an app to automatically take screenshot?
I'm not talking about apps disabling screenshots on them, I can take screenshot of the thing manually, but I'd like to automate it. I use the ...
- 101
1
vote
1
answer
492
views
Whatsapp workaround?
What I have:
- I don't want to install Whatsapp on my phone because I don't want it to access my personal data.
- There's an organisation that requires me to use Whatsapp to communicate with them.
- ...
- 3,234
8
votes
0
answers
4k
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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 ...
- 181
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votes
1
answer
91
views
Does Android keep deleted photos and images from the phone?
I heard from a friend that android phones can trace deleted photos and images and videos back even after deleting. Is that true?
If so, how can it keep things there unseen until a technician finds ...
0
votes
1
answer
406
views
How to disable camera → Google Photos sync on Android 9?
Similar to this, but Google has somehow wormed their way around my settings:
Photos → Settings → Backup & sync is off.
Photos → Device folders → Camera → Back up (sic) & sync is off.
Camera → ...
- 381
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0
answers
56
views
Can I use DNS-over-TLS below Android Pie?
Unfortunately DoT isn't part of Android below version 9. Is there a workaround app or should I better install LineageOS 16 on my old smartphone device?
- 49
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vote
1
answer
48
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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 ...
- 13