I'm probably getting the nexus 5 but after updating some apps on an android from a year ago it was saying google and misc apps would have permission to do things like read my SMS messages, modify my contacts, all sorts of stuff. What the hell is up with this? Is it possible to own an Android and keep everything up to date without having a massive intrusion on your privacy? When I install an app it either has install or decline, there doesn't seem to be the option to install the basic app and remove the rude permissions.
Where's the privacy?
- Thread starter nexus555
- Start date
If you're concerned about privacy, the Nexus 5 isn't the device for you. It's a Google based phone and we all know how Google uses your information.
That said, the same can be said for most smartphones today....so there's that.
tap'n
That said, the same can be said for most smartphones today....so there's that.
tap'n
It's so sad that the majority of people think "Meh, cellphones aren't about privacy anymore"...
I'm not obsessed with it but I hate how I can't even install a game or email app without god-knows who having near full access to my phone.
I'm not obsessed with it but I hate how I can't even install a game or email app without god-knows who having near full access to my phone.
Oh, I'm not happy about it either. It's one of the MANY reasons I'm not on Facebook. But until people stand up and demand more privacy, nothing is going to change.
tap'n
tap'n
I think you've misunderstood the permissions. Every app has a function. Performing that function requires the app to interact with your phone in some way - a dialer needs to make calls,anything social needs to access and update your contacts, anything that communicates with the outside world needs to be able to send SMS or emails, etc.
Android just makes the developer specifically list out the required functions up front.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app
Android just makes the developer specifically list out the required functions up front.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app
cj100570
Spoken Word?
- Nov 12, 2009
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You shouldn't be using a smartphone. No, I'm serious. The mere act of using a cellular device means you're giving up quite a bit of privacy. Your carrier knows, where you are, who you're calling, who calls you, how long you speak, who you text, who tests you, what's in those texts, etc. etc. etc. The apps you referenced need those permissions to do the simple things you take for granted on your phone; the music player needs to have access to the dialer to know to stop playing when a call comes in and to resume when the call ends, to read contacts so that you can send them links to the music you're listening to and to set a custom ringtone. I could go on and on but I think you get the gist.
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hello,
to give you a more constructive answer, you could use an app. called Permission Manager Pro (https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...=com.appaholics.applauncherpro&token=lmlGNtHr)
This app allows you to set the permissions of each app installed on your phone.
Downside for now it works on 4.3 only (i have contacted the developer already). I use this apps on my HTC GPE and it works well and i feel like it is saving some battery as well.
to give you a more constructive answer, you could use an app. called Permission Manager Pro (https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...=com.appaholics.applauncherpro&token=lmlGNtHr)
This app allows you to set the permissions of each app installed on your phone.
Downside for now it works on 4.3 only (i have contacted the developer already). I use this apps on my HTC GPE and it works well and i feel like it is saving some battery as well.
I think the only offering that has some semblance of privacy is Cyanogenmod (cyanogenmod DOT org)
SIM free phone with monthly SIMs I buy in cash? Sure.
You're just being ridiculous to defend the "golden" android. It's quite a bit different from giving a random 3rd party dev who could be anyone access to do anything on your phone. Maybe even steal financial details.
patruns
Well-known member
- May 21, 2011
- 3,215
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This has been discussed ad nauseam in just about every tech forum. iPhone, Windows phone, Android phone... doesn't matter. An app needs access to certain parts of the phone depending on what it does. Google makes developers list every potential service the app might access. It doesn't mean that it will. Much depends on how you use the app. For instance, if you use a fitness app but turn off sharing it will not likely be checking your contacts. If you later enable sharing the app will access your contacts at the time you decide to share something. You will see how intrusive the app is before you download it so you may decide whether to install it or not. Be suspicious of apps that list a permission that you cannot think of a reason it needs, such as a hotspot toggle app that reads your contacts. Can developers abuse this? Absolutely! I have passed on several apps that seemed a little too intrusive to me for how I plan to use it.
Yeah but I cant even use the facebook app without them screwing up my contacts list. Whats the point in having an android phone if I cant use apps. Might as well buy an OS7 blackberry lol.
Facebook never messed with my contacts?
It IS annoying that I can't get Facebook to shut off when I exit out of the app (it keeps running for some reason) even with all notifications turned off but it never messed with anything.
The way I look at phones these days is that someone in a dark bunker in the middle of the United States is learning more about sex and firefighting and video games than they would ever care to know. As for my private information going somewhere I simply don't install apps that request access to things they don't need as mentioned in this thread.
It IS annoying that I can't get Facebook to shut off when I exit out of the app (it keeps running for some reason) even with all notifications turned off but it never messed with anything.
The way I look at phones these days is that someone in a dark bunker in the middle of the United States is learning more about sex and firefighting and video games than they would ever care to know. As for my private information going somewhere I simply don't install apps that request access to things they don't need as mentioned in this thread.
It's the fact whenever there's an app, even if its paid for, the producer could get full access to your phone. Not about US government or something.
mrsmumbles
Well-known member
- Oct 5, 2013
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I hate the privacy intrusions. For the moment, it's more worth it to have my phone than not to, though.
When you download apps, check your settings to see which ones are constantly transferring data. Some of it may be relatively harmless like ads in "free" apps but I don't think they all are.
The only game I liked so far (not a big name for sure) turned out to be using data 24/7 so I uninstalled it. Anything I saw doing constant use of data that I could uninstall I did uninstall.
Sent from my LG870 via Tapatalk 2
When you download apps, check your settings to see which ones are constantly transferring data. Some of it may be relatively harmless like ads in "free" apps but I don't think they all are.
The only game I liked so far (not a big name for sure) turned out to be using data 24/7 so I uninstalled it. Anything I saw doing constant use of data that I could uninstall I did uninstall.
Sent from my LG870 via Tapatalk 2
Actually I went and looked this up.... Yeah it has the ability to call phone numbers directly and modify your contacts and read your call logs and contacts etc. Doesn't mean it actually does as it hasn't called anyone nor messed with my contact list. I would assume just about any phone that uses the app has something like this going on however with the Google apps you get to SEE what it does while other phones don't require the transparency.
Some time a year or so ago facebook actually did mess up peoples contacts though with this. Loads of apps demand these permissions that they downright don't remotely need and there's no option to tick off each permission. You can either install and DWI or not use apps which makes android kinda pointless.
Blackberry at least allowed me to block these permissions and still use the app.
here is where u r totally wrong!!! you think blackberry dont use these permission from your phone??
just because u r not seeing the permission doesnt mean they are not accessing them. Its the same with WP,iPhone,Blackberry.
Android is the only OS which gives u what permission the app uses so you know what the app is requesting
rest dont even show them
and btw, you can totally deny permission from jellybean 4.3 and above but its still in beta
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