Keep your information private on Android.
Angela Lang / CNET
More than 1,000 Android applications collected your information, even after denying them permission to do so, according to some researchers. This is an idea that brings us back to reality at a time when companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon are under scrutiny for their privacy and security policies. Researchers at the International Institute of Computational Sciences (ICSI) have shown that applications without permits are capable of using other apps that you gave permission to access the information. According to the findings of this research, these apps can even get information through your Wi-Fi connections.
If you have seen ads in apps or in your browser of products that you have searched for in another app, you can notice how that information collected works without your permission. Google refers to Privacy issue in Android Q, the update of its operating system for Android phones, which will come out later this year.
If you feel helpless because despite denying access to your information to apps nothing happens, we understand you. But there are still some things you can do to make it difficult for applications to access the information you don't want to give them.
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It only allows access to the relevant information
The apps you download can request access to your calendar, camera, contacts, location, microphone, phone, messenger, storage and sensors. Some permissions are necessary for the application to work. If it is a map app, then location information is necessary. If it's a play on words, you don't need to know your location.
The problem comes when apps ask for access to parts of your phone that you do not want to give access to or do not need. For example, if you grant access to your microphone, they may be listening, so you should be aware of what you allow access. By denying permissions, you can prevent any app from seeing your information in the first place.
If it turns out that the app does not work unless you give it access, you can decide if you want to give it or not. But forming the habit of reviewing the permissions that applications have will make you more aware of what each app does on your phone.
The new Android Q controls make it easy to audit apps and information they have access to.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani / CNET
Allow or deny permissions on your apps one by one
If you install an application without any permission enabled, you can still open those that interest you individually in settings.
one. Go to your Android phone settings.
two. Choose Apps or Application Manager (Application Manager).
3. Select the app you want to modify by clicking on Permissions (Permissions).
Four. From there, you can choose which permissions to activate or deactivate, such as the microphone or camera and in which application.
Search for faults or viruses
Google Play Protect scans all your apps to find any potential danger. Even the most reliable applications can develop failures that can be exploited by hackers, so it is a good idea to scan the applications on your phone periodically to make sure they are safe.
one. Go to the Settings of your Android phone.
two. ChooseSecurity (Security).
3. Choose Google Play Protect. From there, see all the apps that have been reviewed and if any are suspicious. In case one is, you will have to take action immediately and stop using those apps on your phone.
Advanced location settings for Android Q.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani / CNET
Turn off location settings
Much of the tracking comes from your location settings, so it is best to turn it off.
one. Go to the Settings of your Android phone.
two. Touch Location (Location).
3. Choose Google Location Settings (Google Location Settings).
Four. Turn off the power switch. Location Reporting (Location Report) and Location History (Location history).
5. You can go one step further and erase your entire location history.
6. If you need to enable location, you can do it manually and then turn it off when you finish.
Turn off location information in your photos
one. Go to the application of Photos of your Android phone.
two. Touch the menu and select Settings (Configuration).
3. Choose Remove geo location (Remove geolocation).
Four. You can also turn off the individual location of photographs in the Photos app when opening the photo, click on the three highlights, select Info and choose No location (No location). (Or go to the submen under the map and click on Remove Location remove location).
