Thousands of Android apps covertly collect location data using Bluetooth and WiFi beacons, allowing tracking and profiling of users.

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.

  • Sturgist@lemmy.caEnglish
    3·
    2 days ago

    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.

    • EngineerGaming@feddit.nlEnglish
      2·
      1 day ago

      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 :/