Android Apps Use Bluetooth and WiFi Scanning to Track Users Without GPS
Android Apps Use Bluetooth and WiFi Scanning to Track Users Without GPS
A new study reveals that thousands of Android apps covertly collect location data using Bluetooth and WiFi beacons, allowing continuous tracking and profiling of users without explicit consent.
If I don't give them permissions to use Bluetooth and cut off their access to WiFi (VPN based firewall), is this threat prevented or am I a fool?
The article states they cicumvemt androids privacy controls,, but doesn't say how. As far as I'm aware, WiFi access point scanning is behind the location permission and service for precisely this reason. So if you just deny that permission, you should be fine.
I wasn't able to use my WiFi ssid in home assistant automations without having location services enabled, for example.
I wasn't able to use my WiFi ssid in home assistant automations without having location services enabled, for example.
I was recently(6 months ago) gifted a very nice pair of Bang & Olufsen BT headphones. They come with a 3.5mm hardline as well...but since my phone, and basically everyone else's, no longer has a port for that....🤷
BT connection works amazing with both my laptops and my desktop. Zero issues. To use them with my android phone the B&O connection app has to be open, WiFi on, precise location approved. Because of my settings for precise location data not being available for apps in the background, the B&O app has to be focused. If WiFi is off, and precise location is denied the app refuses to connect to the headphones, despite my actual phone seeing and connecting to it with no issues. I'd just not use the app...but without the app there's (absolutely intentional) audio drops. I know it's on purpose because it happens in a pattern. 90 seconds of perfect audio, followed by four 2 seconds cuts 5 seconds apart, then another 90 seconds of perfect audio. So I just don't use them with my phone. 🖕
Damn, that's awful. Can't you just set the settings once, then delete the app and pair it like a normal Bluetooth device? Would imagine that should work, if it works with your laptop as well.
Nope. It only happens when connected to a mobile device. Tested it on all 3 of my android phones (current daily driver, back up phone, and an S4 that I use as a media player in my car,) my wife's iPhone X, my Samsung tablet, and my work iPad. The S4 doesn't have that behaviour, but isn't really a viable option. The battery is basically only good enough to keep it powered for an hour or two, and doesn't jive with my cell provider's SIM it's also running a Google free ROM... Both my more modern phones, my wife's, and the tablets have the exact same behaviour. When I got them I had no intention of even installing the app. Wasn't until I was trying to troubleshoot the audio drop out that I installed it. And through experimenting with permissions and services turned on and off decided to just not use them with my phone.
The settings provided by the B&O app aren't in userland for android, and as far as I've been able to find, can't be pulled up and implemented without the app.
I wonder what happens if you deny the app internet access? The permission for it is separate from "nearby devices" or "location". Or use the firewall specifically for it?
Also yeah, the whole situation is messed up, never thought headphones could require an app :/
That.......is something I'd not tried yet....hmmmm. I'll try it tonight and get back
I also wonder what connections it normally makes and how many)
There an app I can run on android that'd log that?
Rethink, for example. Also allows denying an app internet access, if your OS can't do it by itself.
It can, but I'd like to see what it's doing instead of just out and out blocking it. Still going to block it, just want to know who all it's calling home to.
In theory that shouldn't be possible unless the app runs as root. Although I'm sure somebody out there has a zero day for it. Yeah I don't know, I don't give any application permission to use location services, and the ones like maps I set it to "Ask me every time". I hope that's good enough for now
