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As another commenter pointed out, if the app is not using the contact tracing framework developed by Google and Apple, then the app can basically do whatever it

As another commenter pointed out, if the app is not using the contact tracing framework developed by Google and Apple, then the app can basically do whatever it wants (mandate continuous location access etc.).

ngngngng 6y ago
I don't think apps are allowed to do this on Android any more. You can designate that an app can only have location access while the app is open and in use.
- agakshat 6y ago
  Right, for sure, that’s a choice users have. (On the iphone too, fwiw). Sadly, outside of tech circles very few people would have the knowledge or even motivation to do this. The attitudes of the populace to online privacy are frighteningly callous.
  - maxhille 6y ago
    Since Android 10, the system will prompt you once the app tries to get the locarion in background and you can opt out with one click.
    - sleepychu 6y ago
      I've been astonished at the number of apps that are grabbing my location in the background. Espescially since I previously considered myself to be quite on top of the permissions I'd granted my apps.
      - efreak 6y ago
        Android for work can reduce privacy leaks; get Island or another app to set up a work profile on your Android phone, and sign into a secondary account on it so it doesn't have your contacts. Now go to settings and disable location access for work apps. I've stopped paying attention to whether or not apps request location data or contacts access for to this. To prevent the apps from running in the background, just turn off work profile when not using it (or look up Greenify's deep hibernation). Being on a stock, unrooted phone, the thing I miss most is xprivacy's prompts whenever an app wants to use a permission. I just make sure to check my permissions list every month or so to make sure Google hasn't silently allowed an app update to enable new permissions.
    - sadfklsjlkjwt 6y ago
      Sadly the ability to detect WiFi network is under the background location tracking permission.
  - burnishing 6y ago
    I believe Singapore's app for iPhone instructed users to keep their phone unlocked with the app open because of this.
- sleepychu 6y ago
  and it may prevent the app from functioning properly but the point is that Apple/Google will not allow you to publish an app on their stores which utilises both of location services and contact tracing APIs

ngngngng 6y ago

I don't think apps are allowed to do this on Android any more. You can designate that an app can only have location access while the app is open and in use.

agakshat 6y ago
Right, for sure, that’s a choice users have. (On the iphone too, fwiw). Sadly, outside of tech circles very few people would have the knowledge or even motivation to do this. The attitudes of the populace to online privacy are frighteningly callous.
- maxhille 6y ago
  Since Android 10, the system will prompt you once the app tries to get the locarion in background and you can opt out with one click.
  - sleepychu 6y ago
    I've been astonished at the number of apps that are grabbing my location in the background. Espescially since I previously considered myself to be quite on top of the permissions I'd granted my apps.
    - efreak 6y ago
      Android for work can reduce privacy leaks; get Island or another app to set up a work profile on your Android phone, and sign into a secondary account on it so it doesn't have your contacts. Now go to settings and disable location access for work apps. I've stopped paying attention to whether or not apps request location data or contacts access for to this. To prevent the apps from running in the background, just turn off work profile when not using it (or look up Greenify's deep hibernation). Being on a stock, unrooted phone, the thing I miss most is xprivacy's prompts whenever an app wants to use a permission. I just make sure to check my permissions list every month or so to make sure Google hasn't silently allowed an app update to enable new permissions.
  - sadfklsjlkjwt 6y ago
    Sadly the ability to detect WiFi network is under the background location tracking permission.
- burnishing 6y ago
  I believe Singapore's app for iPhone instructed users to keep their phone unlocked with the app open because of this.
sleepychu 6y ago
and it may prevent the app from functioning properly but the point is that Apple/Google will not allow you to publish an app on their stores which utilises both of location services and contact tracing APIs