Questions tagged [privacy]
For questions related to enforcing you privacy on Android devices
448
questions
2
votes
4
answers
14k
views
How to use a firewall AND a VPN?
I'm using the only open source firewall for Android: NetGuard and would like to use a VPN in addition. Is this possible? If so: how?
Both types of apps typically use virtual VPN tunnels. NetGuard has ...
- 290
0
votes
2
answers
923
views
How to prevent Google from "synchronizing" my personal data after a factory-reset, adding a new Google account or software updates?
It seems that after a factory-reset, whenever a new Google account is enabled on a device and potentially after some software updates sync will be enabled again even if it was turned off in the ...
- 290
0
votes
1
answer
10k
views
How can I delete synchronized Google data? (contacts, app data etc)
Apparently Google synchronized various data without my explicit permission. I don't want Google (and any parties that will ever have access to their data) to fetch any of my personal data without me ...
- 290
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
0
votes
0
answers
38
views
how to protect access to my apps and/or data automatically?
I want to lock access to my apps and I installed an app (Applock), which works properly only after being manually opened.
I need some solution which lets me being protected from having my data shared ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
How to create a guest account on Android phones?
I want to create a "phantom account" or "guest account" on my smartphone Android to let other people accessing and using my phone without needing to enter the fingerprint pattern, on the one hand, and ...
- 111
0
votes
0
answers
7k
views
Can apps track visitors to your WhatsApp profile?
There are apps called "WhatsApp Tracker" or "Whats Tracker" that claim to display new visitors to my WhatsApp profile.
I tried those apps and turned out the apps didn't do what ...
- 477
1
vote
1
answer
14k
views
WhatsApp saving contacts with nicknames in a group
for the 99.99% of it - I am pretty sure the answer is No because it'd violate privacy norms - but in my school reunion whatsApp group - I have nicknamed my school mate contacts pretty badly ( gave ...
- 477
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
1
vote
2
answers
168
views
Privacy, Malware & Android Permissions
From a privacy perspective is the sheepoll app ok to use? Whilst the owner has reassured us they're not looking to snoop there is a possibility of a nefarious deeds being done so comments? It's for a ...
- 251
2
votes
2
answers
591
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
3
votes
2
answers
590
views
Does Gboard remember what is said?
I was using Gboard to write a message (with the microphone message). I said something rude I don't want it to save or repeat in predictions. Does Gboard save what is said anywhere, and if so how do I ...
- 153
0
votes
0
answers
82
views
Google maps keeps disabling Privacy Guard on cyangenmod
This is pretty serious
Rooted with Cm11. Google maps is on sdcard, play services and play store are on system.
I keep seeing google maps privacy guard getting disabled. Once in a while.
Is it ...
- 173
1
vote
1
answer
229
views
Is shielding private data from apps possible by isolating/jailing them?
I want to keep my contacts list, call log, photos etc private. Xprivacy/Xposed looked like a viable path, but as of today (June 2017) it seems to be dead-ended and there is no sign of a Nougat release ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Are there benefits to using Greenify with Android Nougat?
Greenify by Oasis Feng (donation package) is a well-regarded tool to manually and automatically freeze apps that are not in use. Typically, Greenify's benefits are to:
increase battery duration
...
- 4,276
0
votes
1
answer
42
views
How to prevent google to parse my calendar?
I use Android 6.0.1 on a Samsung Galaxy J5.
I have my own mail + contacts + calendar server on a dedicated server.
I noticed that when I put some entrys in my calendar (smartphone) with an address, ...
- 665
0
votes
1
answer
26
views
My Android Samsung won't switch on or charge after it got wet
My phone got wet. So I left it in rice and blow dried it with a hair blower. I've left it on charge for a day and it did not switch on or showed that it's charging. I left the battery outside for ...
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What does it mean if a "device administrator" can "change the screen lock"?
If a corporate policy requires a mobile device management app (like Microsoft Intune), what does it mean in Settings-> Security-> Device Administrators when "Change the screen lock" is listed? Is ...
- 141
1
vote
1
answer
79
views
How can I disable Google's offer to post personal photos for businesses?
The Android Google Maps app observed that I have taken some photos in a toy store. The following day, Google Maps is offering me to post these pictures along with Google's photos for that business.
I ...
- 447
0
votes
2
answers
251
views
How can I most effectivly secure and anonymize my specfic Android device?
I would like to setup my phone to be able to browse/use apps as anonymously as possible. I realize that will require Tor/VPNs, and I am working on getting that information elsewhere. Here I am ...
0
votes
1
answer
661
views
Warn or Block Internet Access When No VPN? [duplicate]
I use a paid VPN service (TorGuard) and when I run it on my computer, I am able to configure the client to completely block Internet access if the VPN is disconnected...
The Android version of my VPN ...
- 143
0
votes
1
answer
95
views
How can I delete data from phones that won't start up?
I have 2 broken Android phones that won't power up. An LG G4 (bootloop issue, but bought used, so no warranty), and a Moto G3 that fell in a puddle. Neither will power up, so I can't remove my ...
- 315
6
votes
1
answer
10k
views
Skip "Sign in to Google" when setting up new Android device
I recently got a new Nvidia Shield TV. On the first start, after asked me to set up my language and connect to my wifi, it prompts me to "Sign in to Google." The only options on the screen are "use ...
- 161
0
votes
3
answers
66k
views
cannot take screenshots in a banking app [duplicate]
I have an unlocked Android 6.0.1 device, and I've installed a couple of banking apps.
For obvious security and paper trail reasons, I'd like to take some screenshots of my interaction with my bank. ...
- 849
4
votes
2
answers
112
views
Dangers of ad modules in apps
Nowadays, I see apps containing up to 10 ad modules (maybe even more). While most of them might just be an annoyance, some of them carry a privacy risk, like inMobi ¹ or RevMob ² (for some background, ...
Izzy♦
- 90.8k
1
vote
0
answers
81
views
Can I wipe EVERY records/traces wo/ factory reset on android?
I' currently using LG V20 and an anciant Samsung YP-GP1.
I'm aware that IceCream Sandwitch doesn't have it's own built-in
encryption unlike modern devices, and want to keep
internal records/traces ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to run a firewall and an AdBlocker on a non-rooted phone at the same time?
I have a non-rooted Android phone and would like to use both a Firewall and an Adblocker at the same time. How can I do this?
I could only find Firewalls and Adblockers for non-rooted phones that use ...
- 290
1
vote
2
answers
4k
views
Does Google have a record of my fingerprints from the Android devices?
My phone has a fingerprint scanner. I notice on the Google Play Store, it has the option to verify your identity with a fingerprint scan instead of typing in the password when making a purchase.
Does ...
- 1,795
7
votes
1
answer
15k
views
How can I use the name "A Google user" in my reviews at Google Play Store?
I have seen many recent reviews (2017) in Google Play Store with the name "A Google user" and I'd like to know how one can do that. I've read some possibilities, but they were written in 2012 and now ...
- 71
0
votes
1
answer
80
views
What is the use case for the Google Wi-Fi Assistant?
The Google Wi-Fi assistant is available on the Pixel and Nexus devices running Android 5.1+, in some countries. The description at Settings->Google->Networking is
Wi-Fi assistant:
Automatically ...
- 4,231
0
votes
0
answers
1k
views
How to prevent hard reset through recovery?
Scenario is this , let's say someone stole my phone in public place I have installed anti-theft app and also pattern lock which is complex one. So he don't have access to my information. However he ...
- 131
-4
votes
2
answers
169
views
How to judge a better app
I installed a verity of android apps in my android device. And almost all apps require verity of permissions. Apart from these, these days we’re doing online transactions on android smartphones and ...
- 77
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
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why does Google Play Services does make VNC connections?
today I did had fun with Netstat on my device and saw that Google Play Services are making VNC connections from my device to a Google server.
The question here is : why ? Sounds to me like a backdoor ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
75
views
Manage file access for apps (Linux user accounts/groups)
I recently realized that Xprivacy is not capable of restricting the file storage access. So now I'm looking for a reliable way to do that.
I guess denying the general storage permission would ...
- 327
3
votes
2
answers
83
views
Taking the odd photo that is confidential and shouldn't be synced or posted anywhere
I use Google Photos to backup all photos. For my camera app I use OpenCamera. On the occasion I take a picture of something confidential (for work or personal use). What is the easiest/best way to to ...
- 163
1
vote
1
answer
4k
views
How can I recover deleted photos and videos from vault app [closed]
I used vault app to hide some pictures and videos.
I just formatted my phone after then I re-installed vault and I am unable to find my pictures and videos.
Is there any way to recover my pictures ...
3
votes
0
answers
54
views
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
0
votes
0
answers
509
views
Is it possible to put a password to let usb debugging work?
So, I learned that, if we have a broken screen, but had the usb debugging enabled, we could do a lot of things, and even use its apps from a desktop computer, until we can get it properly fixed.
But, ...
- 341
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Permission system changes with Android 6.0: What are the implications for us users?
With Android 6.0, a bunch of permissions and permission groups have been removed:
Groups gone
While on a first glance this doesn't seem important (isn't it rather a way to organize permissions?) – ...
Izzy♦
- 90.8k
4
votes
1
answer
644
views
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
1
vote
0
answers
80
views
Are linked contact links ever sent to Google?
Assume I have a friend who is using an anonymous Threema ID. That ID has no phone number and no email address associated with it.
That person also has an email address and a phone number, both of ...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
99
views
The Android phone app wants to know my location - why?
I'm running CyanogenMod 13.0 without Play Services. I launched the Phone app and wanted to search through the contacts. Then a popup appeared, that:
Allow Phone to access this device's location?
...
- 259
1
vote
0
answers
955
views
Signal app - can senders see when the recipient has read the message?
With the Signal app, can senders see when the recipient has read the message? I notice those two hatches but don't they just mean the message has been sent?
- 111
1
vote
0
answers
49
views
Is the WiFi-communication during installation harming my privacy?
I want to use Android (6.0 / marshmallow) on my new device (OnePlus 3) and want to set it up as google-free as possible (as example). By default, I am forced to set up a Wi-Fi network when I boot my ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
792
views
How to lock down WhatsApp permissions?
A number of friends are using WhatsApp for communication. So I'm thinking about installing it. However when I read the question about its permissions I'm asking myself if there is a possibility to ...
- 105
2
votes
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
1
vote
0
answers
103
views
Closed circuit app on Android
I'd like to know if there is a way to run an android app on a closed circuit minimalist type of android VM on an android device so that I can have a full control of what the app has access to and when ...
- 21
-3
votes
1
answer
990
views
I see ads on my phone and apps auto install
Usually, I find full screen ads on my Android mobile. Also, apps like task bucks automatically install on my smartphone.
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
177
views
How to Prevent CM13 Calling by Itself?
I noticed today that my Samsung Galaxy S4 with CM13 (unofficial Kyasu's ROM) called two my contacts itself; those contacts were those which I keep in my blacklist; which was also why I had react to ...
- 1,151