Questions tagged [privacy]
For questions related to enforcing you privacy on Android devices
448
questions
3
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1
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879
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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 ...
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1
vote
0
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266
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Use multiple Google accounts, but allow only one to locate my phone in device manager
My question is basically identical to this question from 2016 (I would have commented on it but I don't have sufficient reputation):
How to use multiple google accounts, but allow only one to locate ...
- 33
7
votes
0
answers
599
views
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 ...
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-2
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2
answers
3k
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How can I make my phone require a password to open Google Play Store?
I want my phone to require a password to enter the Google Play app, so if I let someone else, such as a friend, use my phone they can't go into the app and snoop around.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S9 ...
0
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2
answers
2k
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Can I prevent Google from collecting data by using a custom ROM?
Choosing a smartphone based on the operating system on a smartphone comes down to two options: Android or iPhone.
Both collect personal data, track activities and track location.
But with Android ...
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0
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1
answer
229
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Google Calendar Privacy Issues
Does Google have access to the data stored in my Google Calendar?
As Google Calendar seems to be the best option for Android users and is widely used, I was wondering if Google actually uses your ...
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1
vote
1
answer
2k
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Automatically change wifi and bluetooth MAC address
I recently learned that it's quite easy to track people with their wifi MAC address and Bluetooth address in stores, etc. I was wondering if there are any drawbacks of changing these addresses ...
- 113
0
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0
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45
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Are non-Google emails stored only locally when using the Gmail app? [duplicate]
The Gmail app allows to add non-Google email provides (via POP and IMAP).
Is it mentioned somewhere that the emails pulled from these providers stay on the device and are not stored/shared with ...
- 561
2
votes
0
answers
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
5
votes
1
answer
3k
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How to disable hidden trackers, in google play store applications
So most applications, on google play have hidden trackers, analytics they don't tell you about. This site lets you search any app shows trackers. The article explains what i'm talking about.
Example: ...
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0
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149
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Create a private folder in Android: set the SELinux attribute of a folder in external storage
There are quite a few apps that require read and write access to the external storage, which gives them access to the whole /sdcard directory. But since that is also the only storage the user ...
- 111
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0
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184
views
What does the read contact permission really mean in Android 5.x?
I've been playing around with the XPosed module ProtectMyPrivaccy, and I noticed that Offline Maps requires "read contacts" permission when doing a POI (Point Of Interest) search.
I can see how ...
7
votes
2
answers
790
views
Does an adblocker defeat the tracking part of the ad module, or just the display of ads?
Related, but different than, these two questions, I'd like to know if the usual ad blockers on Android do anything to prevent user tracking from ad modules. Those questions are several years old by ...
1
vote
1
answer
201
views
If I have a phone contact and I sync my contacts to my google account then will the contact see my email address in his contacts?
If he has a google account too and I sync my contacts to my google account with his phone number then will google notice that we are in phone contact and therefore show my email contact to him in his ...
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1
vote
1
answer
3k
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Can app with Storage permission access all data?
When I give Storage Permission to an app, is it true that it is able to access all data on the internal and external media, for instance the Downloads folder? Or does it only get access to store and ...
8
votes
2
answers
5k
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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 ...
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20
votes
1
answer
8k
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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.
...
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3
votes
1
answer
724
views
Can an app update from Play Store reinstate its permissions I've disabled earlier?
There are quite a few apps out there that request too many permissions during install time, most of them seem highly dubious. I tend to disable permissions I feel unlikely to be used and for the most ...
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0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Prevent google backup of contacts?
I have Google backup turned off permanently, however my contacts are still backed-up somewhere to Google cloud. I discovered that yesterday from another device that offered me to recover my contacts ...
- 101
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
3
votes
0
answers
61
views
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 ...
- 31
1
vote
1
answer
365
views
Disable "unlock with voice" notifications Xperia XA1
tl:dr - despite repeatedly choosing the "no thanks" option, my phone keeps displaying notifications to setup voice unlock. I Say "no" - as far as I know it is not enabled - but an hour later it asks ...
- 830
1
vote
1
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257
views
Create several Gmail accounts anonymously using only one Android tablet without letting Google know that they are created from the same single tablet?
I would like to anonymously create several Gmail accounts using only one Android tablet (but not phone) without letting Google know that the accounts are created from the same single tablet. I do not ...
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0
answers
1k
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Lineage OS -- Phone still spying on me?
I switched from Android to Lineage OS, and I installed the most basic Gapps package possible, called 'pico', to get the bare minimum requirement for the Google Play store. I then manually disabled ...
- 131
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votes
1
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1k
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Can't change MAC address on Rooted Android Nextbook Ares 8
I rooted my Nextbook Ares 8" tablet, model NXA8QC116, so I could change the MAC address and host name, as I hate personal data mining and user behavior monitoring.
Device specifics: Model NXA8QC116S, ...
user263360
0
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1
answer
89
views
Privacy of WhatsApp messages
My husband has taken over my Android since he's the account holder. I'm wondering can he get any call or text information from my WhatsApp off of the T-Mobile printout of my phone activity?
5
votes
2
answers
743
views
How to Audit Android Apps (for screenshot activity)
How do I audit my android's apps to determine which apps are taking screenshots of my activity?
I recently installed & ran diskdigger to undelete an image I had accidentally deleted, but the ...
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0
votes
1
answer
96
views
Why do so many apps use location permissions on a near-constant basis?
I have an Android 5.1 device with App Permission Manager on, in order to stop apps from using permissions they don't need. Recently, I have noticed that many apps are trying to obtain my location when ...
- 413
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
0
votes
1
answer
512
views
Prevent other users to get Whatsapp notification [closed]
Is there is any way to prevent other users to get notification when I joined Whatsapp?
Apparently, I don't want others to announce I'm using it as I'm trying to join it for only selective friends and ...
- 131
2
votes
1
answer
115
views
What information is available to an application?
What information about the phone is available to an app without extra permissions?
E.g., if the app asks for permission to see my contacts, and I agree, it will see all my contacts (obviously).
...
- 137
1
vote
1
answer
13k
views
Is it possible to disable gmail sync completely, without logging out?
Is it possible to completely disable all Gmail synchronization, without actually logging out of the account?
The use case is a phone for a senior who does not read email on the phone. For senior ...
- 365
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 ...
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1
vote
1
answer
794
views
How to secure install untrusted app
I need to use of Google Play Store app for my project. This app is prepared by unknown to me Chinese GPS devices' manufacturer and I want to use it to communicate with device.
App is published on ...
- 111
1
vote
0
answers
93
views
App exits on its own if certain permissions are denied. Any way to prevent?
Some jerk apps, if certain permissions are denied to them, exits on its own. This forced the user to grant permission to use, which contradicts with appops' intention.
Is there a way to prevent such ...
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3
votes
2
answers
9k
views
does airplane mode stop phone from pinging towers?
with recent riot's in Iran, there is saying that even with the phone in airplane-mode, it's pinging nearby towers, giving away location data and information such as that.
this is a really big security ...
- 133
1
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0
answers
2k
views
Unknown apps - My Consumer Cellular and Prip
I've purchased MotoG4 Plus (Unlocked) around Summer 2016 at Amazon(India). I've been using the phone since then and have been extremely cautious about the apps I use on my phone.
Whilst playing ...
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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
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Prevent apps from getting list of installed apps on phone
How I can prevent apps from knowing which apps I've installed?
Is there something in premissions in settings or hack or trick with root access apps?
- 131
0
votes
0
answers
90
views
Introspecting/monitoring apps to see whether they steal user data
It appears that a number of apps on the market place require a number of 'permissions' such as permission to access the files/photos, text messages, contacts, browser history, etc of the phone, ...
user36587
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
1
vote
1
answer
575
views
Can Hike Messenger steal WhatsApp data?
As per the new update of Hike messenger, it gives a reward up to ₹10000 for making your friend join Hike. To do this, Hike asks for accessibility permission. And when you refer a friend or a group, ...
- 62
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Turn off search history on Chrome?
If I search for for example "lemon" in the address bar in Chrome on Android, days later if I start typing "L" it will show "lemon" in bold text as a suggestion.
I have already gone to the Activity ...
- 611
0
votes
1
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55
views
Someone is sending FB messages that appear to come from my android! HOW?
We recently had a house guest who asked to use my phone. She is sending Facebook messages drom her Android phone that appear to be coming from me! This is causing serious problems! I want to catch her....
0
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1
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91
views
To list apps reading/writing contacts?
I would like to get the better overview of applications reading and writing my phonebook i.e. contacts.
TrueCaller incidence shows that I do not have sufficient understanding and full control of the ...
- 1,151
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0
answers
263
views
Why no native support for phone call blocker by Regex +44.* in Oreo?
There are many privacy problems in phone call blockers such as TrueCaller leaking your phonebook (thread Does TrueCalller App leak your phonebook?) in Android phonebook blockers.
I really think the ...
- 1,151
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 ...
- 1,151
2
votes
1
answer
153
views
How private are separate Android users?
My new job uses Workplace by Facebook, and Workplace Chat is their preferred messaging platform.
However, Facebook's apps asks for about every possible permission (see below), which is why I don't use ...
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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 ...
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9
votes
1
answer
318
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 ...
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