why would whatsapp like to know my browsing history

redmars04

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I see in the permission to install whatsapp, it even asks for access to my browsing history. Why is it required? Apart from tht it asks permission for bookmarks, call activities, other app informations. Are these all really necessary for whatsapp to work?
 

B. Diddy

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Welcome to Android Central! Where do you see that? Is it on your device's screen when you're about to install? Are you installing from Google Play? Here are the permissions that are listed on the app page of Google Play. I don't see anything about browsing history:

Version 2.11.238 can access:
In-app purchases


Device & app history

  • retrieve running apps

Identity

  • find accounts on the device
  • add or remove accounts
  • read your own contact card

Contacts/Calendar

  • read your contacts
  • modify your contacts

Location

  • approximate location (network-based)
  • precise location (GPS and network-based)

SMS

  • receive text messages (SMS)
  • send SMS messages

Phone

  • directly call phone numbers

Photos/Media/Files

  • modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
  • test access to protected storage

Camera/Microphone

  • record audio
  • take pictures and videos

Wi-Fi connection information

  • view Wi-Fi connections

Device ID & call information

  • read phone status and identity

Other

  • receive data from Internet
  • read sync statistics
  • prevent device from sleeping
  • full network access
  • control vibration
  • run at startup
  • view network connections
  • connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
  • use accounts on the device
  • create accounts and set passwords
  • modify system settings
  • read sync settings
  • toggle sync on and off
  • install shortcuts
  • uninstall shortcuts
  • read Google service configuration
  • change your audio settings
 

redmars04

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Yes, it displays just before installing from google play. I can see the browsing history access. Here is the exact text tht is displayed under Device & App History:
"Allows the app to view one or more information about activity on the device, which apps are running, browsing history and bookmarks."

The version of whatsapp it is trying to install is: 2.11.238
 

B. Diddy

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It says "Allows the app to view one or more ..." It doesn't say it allows the app to view all of the following. Since the app page specified that it needs permission to view which apps are running, then that sentence is accurate.
 

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