Android has permission issues. In iOS, you can choose which apps can access your location, which apps can send you notifications, etc. On Android, there’s no such thing as prying. You’re all in, or you’re not cool at all, man.
In Android 4.3 version, Google integrated a tool called App Ops. It’s basically a permissions manager. The geeks were really excited about it. But it didn’t last long. The dream was broken. Google has decided. Your information is what it wants and it wants it all.
Giving users the power to choose what data to reveal is unquestionable. It will make Google too weak. And if there’s one thing Google doesn’t have, it’s weakness. And not evil. Google is not evil at all.
Now that I’ve inflated your Android geek enough, let’s get to the point. CyanogenMod introduced a feature called Privacy Protection in their custom ROMs and eventually in their production phones like OnePlus One and Yu Yureka.
About the app: Privacy Guard isn’t the only app that does this, but its implementation is one of the most stable and feature-rich I’ve seen.
How to manage basic permissions with Privacy Guard
Go Setting > Privacy > Personal protection. You should now see a list of downloaded apps. Just tap an app to “protect your privacy”.
This means that instead of the app having free access to things like call logs, SMS, location services, etc., CM will now ask you every time.
Interestingly, the number of times an app like Facebook or Instagram asks for your location. It is continuous.
In about 5 minutes this will become annoying. At this point you can ask CM to remember the option when you click either Allow or Refuse.
Advanced rights management with Privacy Guard
Privacy protection is more than just call logs and SMS permissions. Long press on any app in the list and you will get advanced options.
When you long press on an app like Facebook, scroll down until you see options like stay awake And Auto start. When you see an app that is rogue and draining your battery, simply turn off these features.
There is also an option to enable Privacy Protection by default for newly installed apps.
Manage permissions for system apps
Tap the three-dot menu and select Show built-in apps. Now you will see apps like Android keyboard and more importantly Google Play Services.
When I got the OnePlus One, I found that Google Play Services kept waking the phone and draining the battery. So I went to Protect Privacy and denied the app access to stay awake, Auto start and the most important, Wake up.
Be careful when messing with permissions
The app needs permission to work. You cannot register with Facebook if you do not allow location services. Some apps may refuse to work altogether.
If things go awry, remember there’s always a Reset button. If you run into problems, start by re-enabling the permissions you most recently disabled.
What did you block?
Now that you have the tools to protect your privacy (at least against apps), which apps have you blocked? Share with us in the comments below.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
