Prevent Data Mining in Android Apps

By Tracey Dowdy

 At a time when sites like Facebook, Google, Amazon, and others are facing scrutiny for their data breaches as well as data mining, it comes as no surprise that over 1,000 Android apps have been doing more than a little harvesting of their own. Not only are they violating your privacy, they’re doing it behind your back, and without your consent.

Research has found that some apps – with no permissions enabled – actually piggyback off other apps you’ve given permission, even pulling data from your Wi-Fi connection. If you’ve ever seen ads in one app or your browser for an item you searched for in a completely different app, that’s data mining at work.  The good news is that Android Q is nearing release, and Google has promised it has security patches coming to correct the issue.

In the meantime, there are steps you can take to limit the amount of spying those apps can do.

Use common sense when giving apps permission to access data. Think about it – if it’s necessary for the app to have access to your location in order for it to function – e.g. Google Maps – then allow permission. On the other hand, do the developers over at Candy Crush need to know your location? Should they have access to your contacts or camera? Be especially mindful if an app asks for access to your microphone – last year it was discovered that the official La Liga league app used the microphone and GPS of user’s smartphones to surreptitiously identify venues broadcasting matches. But you can easily prevent this by denying an app permission to access unnecessary data in the first place.

Another simple way to limit access is to enable or disable app permissions one by one. When you install an app, disable permissions, then go back and turn on specific permissions individually.

  • Go to Settings
  • Select Apps or Application Manager
  • Choose the app that you want to change by selecting
  • Choose which permissions to turn on and off, for example, your microphone or camera.

You can also allow Google Play Protect, built into Android, to scan for potentially dangerous or invasive apps.

  • Go to Settings
  • Choose Security
  • Select Google Play Protect. A list will populate with all apps that have been scanned with any suspicious apps flagged as potentially dangerous.

Another smart option is to turn off Location Services, a prime target for trackers.

Go to Settings 

  • Tap Location
  • Select Google Location Settings
  • Toggle off for Location Reporting and Location History
  • You can also delete your location history
  • If you need your location enabled for a specific app, you can manually toggle it on then toggle off again when you’re done.

One final way to protect your privacy is by disabling location services in your photos.

  • Go to the Photos app.
  • Tap the menu and choose
  • Select Remove geo location.

Another way is to open the photo, tap the three stacked dots, select Info and choose No location. You can also go into a submenu below the map and click Remove Location.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

 

Comments:

  2. Hi, Neat post. There is an issue along with your
    site in web explorer, would test this? IE still is the market leader and a big part of people will leave out
    your wonderful writing because of this problem.

    my blog post … great diet foods

  9. Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be at the web the simplest thing
    to take note of. I say to you, I certainly get irked
    at the same time as other people think about worries that they just do not know about.

    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as neatly
    as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , other folks could take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thank you

    Also visit my homepage: stop smoking weed everyday

  12. Admiring the hard work you put into your site and in depth information you offer.

    It’s awesome to come across eating healthy on a budget (http://www.hltkd.tw) blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old
    rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds
    to my Google account.

  13. When I initially left a comment I appear
    to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever
    a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact
    same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service?

    Many thanks!

  14. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?

    I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords
    but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.
    Appreciate it!

  16. Simply desire to say your article is as astounding.
    The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this
    subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab
    your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

    my web-site – carb cycling

  17. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but
    I find this matter to be really something that I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and very broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

    My blog – care products

  18. We would like to thank you just as before for the wonderful ideas you gave Jesse when preparing a post-graduate research as well as, most importantly, pertaining to providing each of the ideas within a blog post.
    In case we had known of your web-site a year ago, we will have been saved
    the unnecessary measures we were having to take. Thanks to you.

    Feel free to visit my homepage – sexual health

  19. I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts
    in this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled
    upon this website. Reading this information So i am satisfied to convey that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny
    feeling I found out just what I needed. I so much certainly will make certain to don?t fail to remember this website sex and orgasm tips provides it a glance on a constant
    basis.

  20. I’m still learning from you, but I’m trying to reach my goals.
    I certainly love reading everything that is posted on your
    site.Keep the aarticles coming. I enjoyed it!

    Here is my page – holiday diet

  21. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your web site in internet explorer, may test
    this? IE still is the marketplace chief and a large element
    of folks will pass over your wonderful writing due to
    this problem.

    Take a look at my web page; fat loss diet

  22. Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever
    arrive across on this subject. Actually Great.
    I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.

    Here is my page; eating healthy

  24. Nice blog right here! Additionally your site rather a lot up fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate
    link in your host? I desire my web site loaded up as quickly
    as yours lol.

    Here is my site :: stop acne (Latesha)

  26. I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of
    your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
    But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people
    could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of
    text for only having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it
    out better?

    Feel free to surf to my website eczema remedies

  27. Thanks so much pertaining to giving everyone an update on this subject on your web page.
    Please realise that if a fresh post becomes available or in case
    any modifications occur with the current write-up, I would be interested in reading more and understanding how to
    make good use of those approaches you discuss.
    Thanks for your time and consideration of other individuals by making this website available.

    Review my blog try hemp seeds – http://www.fles.hlc.edu.tw,

  28. With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism
    or copyright violation? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or
    outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over
    the web without my authorization. Do you know any methods to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d genuinely appreciate it.

    Also visit my blog … sciatica relief pillow

  29. May I just say what a comfort to find somebody that really knows what
    they’re talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring a problem to
    light and make it important. More and more people really need to check this out and understand this side of
    your story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you definitely have the gift.

    Check out my blog – hair growth

  30. Good site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made.
    I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick!
    Have a great day!

    my web page … acne medication

  31. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
    Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct
    my own blog and would like to know where u got
    this from. thanks

    Feel free to visit my blog: oil swishing

  37. Whoah this blog is magnificent i really like studying your posts.

    Stay up the good paintings! You understand, many people are hunting round for this info,
    you can aid them greatly.

    Look into my webpage: herbal pills to stop smoking (bbs.cnction.com)

  41. I?m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that?s equally
    educative and entertaining, and let me tell you,
    you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too
    few people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very
    happy I came across this in my search for something concerning this.

    Also visit my website; brain fitness

  43. Good day very nice site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb ..
    I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
    I am satisfied to search out a lot of useful information here within the publish, we want work out more strategies on this regard, thank
    you for sharing. . . . . .

    Check out my webpage … internet marketing, habbonews10.altervista.org,

  44. I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be exactly
    I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content
    for you? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write about here.

    Again, awesome weblog!

    my web site … care tips honey

  45. What i don’t understood is in reality how you’re not really much more smartly-liked than you may be right now.

    You are so intelligent. You understand thus considerably in terms of this subject, made me for my part believe it from numerous varied angles.
    Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated except it’s something to
    accomplish with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding.
    At all times care for it up!

    Also visit my web blog … quit smoking remedies

  46. I am really inspired together with your writing skills and also with
    the layout for your weblog. Is that this a paid subject or did you
    modify it your self? Either way keep up the nice high quality writing, it
    is uncommon to peer a great weblog like this one nowadays..

    My website – dhea testosterone

  47. Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks
    would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your design. Kudos

    Look at my blog post – quitting smoking

  50. I always spent my half an hour to read this website’s content all the time along with a mug of coffee.

  51. I like reading a peice that can get people to think.
    Likewise, many thanks connected with allowing for personally to short review!

  52. Hello to every body, it’s my first visit of this webpage;
    this blog carries awesome and genuinely fine data designed for readers.

  53. Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a
    blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; many of us have
    developed some nice methods and we are looking
    to exchange methods with other folks, why not shoot me an e-mail if
    interested.

    Also visit my webpage – acne skin

  54. I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of
    clever work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works
    guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.

  56. Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog
    and I am inspired! Extremely helpful information specially the closing
    phase 🙂 I handle such info a lot. I was looking
    for this particular information for a long time. Thank you
    and good luck.

    Feel free to surf to my web blog – pain dogs

  58. These are really fantastic ideas in on the topic of blogging.
    You have touched some fastidious points here.
    Any way keep up wrinting.

  95. sex doll Hot deal 142cm little bosom iron tech sex doll If Your Accomplice Is Physically Dysfunctional EXCLUSIVE Enormous Regular Boob Doll Loves Sex Full of peppy tits combined with sharp nipples

  97. In fact when someone doesn’t be aware of afterward its up to other users that
    they will assist, so here it takes place.

  99. I truly wanted to compose a comment to be able to say thanks to you for the remarkable secrets you are giving here. My time intensive internet research has at the end of the day been honored with extremely good information to share with my great friends. Sex Doll Blog

  101. You can definitely see your skills in the work you write.
    The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe.
    Always follow your heart.

  103. If you would like to take a good deal from this piece of writing then you have to
    apply these strategies to your won weblog.

  104. This is the perfect webpage for everyone who really wants to understand this topic.
    You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you
    (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely
    put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been written about for a long time.
    Wonderful stuff, just great!

  108. I like what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and coverage!

    Keep up the superb works guys I’ve included you
    guys to my blogroll.

  109. I read this post completely regarding the comparison of latest and previous technologies, it’s amazing article.

  110. 08:00. İşte ÜCRETSİZ premium akış için erişilebilir en seksi
    Anal fuck videoları. ÜCRETSİZ sikme tüpümüzdeki
    en sıcak Karı, Eğilmiş, Yalama, Göt sikme, Kalça, Binme, Kıyafetleri yırtılıyor, Göt sikme,
    Ev yapımı, Amatörler porno kliplere bir göz atın. Bu
    deneyimi seveceksiniz, her şey 720p ve 1080p’de.
    Popüler.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

Change Your Default Privacy Settings

Spot Fake Reviews in Online Retail

Remove or Reduce Your Digital Footprint

Reporting Cyber-Abuse on Social Media

Teach Your Children Media Literacy