All Google App Permissions on Android Explained
Google started being a search engine and it's still their main business. All other products and services offered by Google also extend Google search capabilities. So, when you see the Google app on your phone, you can not think that she is there to help you only in your searches. The application integrates a lot more with other Google applications such as the agenda, Gmail, and so on. This is also the home of the Google Assistant, which performs tasks such as making calls, reading messages, and so on. All this means that the Google application The list of permissions is quite long.
Many of us have only closed the Google application in a folder or in the application drawer, to never open it because the Google widget is already at the top of the page. #39; screen. But it's one of the worst apps for those who are concerned about their privacy. You can deny the application some of these permissions at the risk of breaking some of its features.
Manage Google app permissions on Android
Android 10 has been released and one of the most important changes that it brings is to give the user more control over his privacy. As a by-product of this effort, Android 10 has also changed the way app permissions are allowed, making the process much simpler and more transparent. To manage permissions for any application, go to Settings > Apps and notifications and press SEE ALL APPLICATIONS. Then scroll down to this application, which in this case is Google. Tap on it.
On the next page, you can see a list of permissions that you can manage for Google apps. To allow or deny one of these permissions, press it. To see all the permissions requested by the application, including those you can not refuse, press the three-point overflow menu button at the top right and select All authorizations.
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Explains Google App permissions
Below you will find a list of all Google app permissions, as well as an explanation of the exact meaning of each authorization.
Use fingerprinting material
android.pernnission.USE_FINGERPRINT
Allows the application to use fingerprinting material for authentication.
Read your contacts
android.permission.READ_CONTACTS
Allows the app to read data about your contacts saved on your phone, including how often you called, emailed, or otherwise communicated with specific people. This permission allows the application to back up your contact data. Malicious apps can share contact data without your knowledge.
Edit your contacts
android.pernnission.WRITE_CONTACTS
Allows the app to change the data about your contacts stored on your phone, including the frequency with which you called, e-mailed or otherwise communicated with specific contacts. This permission allows applications to delete contact data.
android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
Allows the app to read the contents of your shared storage.
Location permissions for the Google app
Access only to the approximate location (network-based)
in the foreground
android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION
This app can get your location based on network sources such as phone masts and Wi-Fi networks, but only when the app is in the foreground. These location services must be enabled and available on your phone for the application to use.
Access the precise location only in the foreground
android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
This app can get your exact position only when it is in the foreground. These location services must be enabled and available on your phone for the application to use. This can increase the consumption of the battery.
Location of access in the background
android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION
If this is granted in addition to approximate or accurate access to the location, the application can access the location running in the background.
Call directly phone numbers
Android. permission.CALL_PHONE
Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Note that this does not allow the app to call emergency numbers. Malicious apps can cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
Find accounts on the device
android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS
Allows the app to get the list of accounts known by the phone. This can include any accounts created by the applications you have installed.
Read calendar events and details
android.permission.READ_CALENDAR
This permission allows the Google app to read all the calendar events stored on your phone and share or save your calendar data.
Read the call log
android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG
This application can read the history of your calls.
Read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
android.permission.READ_SMS
This application can read all SMS messages (text) stored on your phone.
Read the state and the identity of the phone
android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE
Allows the application to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active and the remote number connected by a call.
Audio recording
android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO
This permission allows the Google application to record audio using the microphone at any time.
Send and view text messages
android.perniission.SEND_SMS
Allows the application to send SMS. This can result in unexpected costs. Malicious apps can cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
Add or edit calendar events and send emails to guests without the owners being aware
android.permission.WRITE_CALENDAR
This permission allows the Google app to add, delete, or edit calendar events on your phone. This app can send messages that may appear to come from calendar owners or edit events without notifying their owners.
android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
Allows the application to write the contents of your shared storage.
Take photos and videos
android.permission.CAMERA
This application can take photos and record videos using the camera at any time.
Answer phone calls
android.permission.ANSWER_PHONE_CALLS
Allows the app to answer an incoming phone call.
Recognize physical activity
android.permission.ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION
This app can recognize your physical activity.
Other Google App permissions
Regardless of this, there are still many more permissions that the application has mainly with explicit titles such as receiving data from the Internet, having full access to the network, displaying Wi-Fi connections , access Do not disturb, access Bluetooth settings, run at startup, prevent the phone from sleeping, etc.
Keep in mind, however, that many of these breaches of privacy permissions of the application are not really related to the search component of the application. These are for the Google assistant. So, if you do not use the wizard, you can disable several of them safely. For example, by denying the application permission to access contacts, you can prevent it from reading and editing your contacts.
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