@publicvoit

Btw: there is also the app usage statistics that every Android collects and which the user can see by dialing *#* #INFO#*#* in the phone app.

Every app with android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS can read that.

"Google Play (Protect) Services", e.g. has this permission and may presumably transmit these stats to google

#privacy #malware #smartphones #Android #IronSource #AppCloud

@publicvoit

Btw: there is also the app usage statistics that every Android collects and which the user can see by dialing *#* #INFO#*#* in the phone app.

Every app with android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS can read that.

"Google Play (Protect) Services", e.g. has this permission and may presumably transmit these stats to google

#privacy #malware #smartphones #Android #IronSource #AppCloud

@publicvoit

If privacy or security is a concern, Samsung never was an option but always a nightmare.

Though in this instance, it sounds more like they want the same info they think google has but without walking the same fine lines.

1. Google location history. Default on.
2. Playstore Stats. (Un)Install, Freeze, Update involves their servers

#Samsung #Spyware #Galaxy #rich #privacy #security #security #privacy #malware #smartphones #Android #IronSource #AppCloud #tracking

Well, it looks like you can't buy #Samsung any more:

"Unremovable #Spyware on Samsung Devices Comes Pre-installed on #Galaxy Series Devices"
https://cybersecuritynews.com/spyware-on-samsung-devices/amp/

"This has sparked outrage among consumers in countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, where affordable Galaxy models are popular entry points into Android."

Another datapoint in favor of "in future, only #rich people can afford #privacy or #security". 😔

#security #privacy #malware #smartphones #Android #IronSource #AppCloud #tracking

Well, it looks like you can't buy #Samsung any more:

"Unremovable #Spyware on Samsung Devices Comes Pre-installed on #Galaxy Series Devices"
https://cybersecuritynews.com/spyware-on-samsung-devices/amp/

"This has sparked outrage among consumers in countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, where affordable Galaxy models are popular entry points into Android."

Another datapoint in favor of "in future, only #rich people can afford #privacy or #security". 😔

#security #privacy #malware #smartphones #Android #IronSource #AppCloud #tracking

China Moves to Ban Samsung Phones Over Embedded Israeli Spyware

"Multiple credible reports indicate that Samsung smartphones sold in the Middle East and North Africa come preloaded with an unremovable #spyware app called Aura, developed by #Israeli firm #IronSource. This software, integrated via Samsung system updates, allegedly collects sensitive personal data—biometrics, location, and device identifiers—without user consent."
https://www.brinztech.com/breach-alerts/china-moves-to-ban-samsung-phones-over-embedded-israeli-spyware/