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Browser Permissions on Android: What No One Is Talking About

23 points by CyberSkys 6y ago

est31 6y ago
There is a point that the browser apps take a large number of permissions, but compared to apps, websites take much less of your data. That's one of the reasons why so many websites like reddit push you to use the app on mobile.
- doc_gunthrop 6y ago
  > That's one of the reasons why so many websites like reddit push you to use the app on mobile. The Yelp website is one of the biggest offenders in this regard. If you're not viewing it in desktop mode then be prepared to get redirected to the Play store any time you tap on any link.
  - Red_Leaves_Flyy 6y ago
    I treat yelp and Pinterest links like links on [insert sketchy site].
- brnt 6y ago
  This is why I don't install apps, research shows they the best and fastest way to hand over your data to many unknown parties. It is why the official appstores (Googles or Apples) are fundamentally untrustworthy. They spread malware as a matter of course.
foepys 6y ago
Why do I need to enable JavaScript to read this text post? What exactly does JavaScript do here except unhide the content? Especially when this post talks about privacy and safety.
- zzo38computer 6y ago
  Like I often see, it is readable if you disable CSS too.
gcbw3 6y ago
android have means to let browser/apps download and save files locally in SD/Download without the Storage permission. Chrome decides not to use it, because reasons.
- CyberSkys 6y ago
  Yes, that's exactly the point - it's not required to ask for permissions - they still want to.
jamal_sayo 6y ago
this is definitely something to think about thank you
jj1sam 6y ago
its not a surprise that chrome is one of them..
bambam_stuff 6y ago
Definitely misused on Android.
iwasakabukiman 6y ago
Since the original post seems confused about why a browser would ask for contacts: A legitimate reason could be so that they can easily autofill forms for you.
- l0b0 6y ago
  What, for when I report my friends to the police? Seriously though, the assumption that I would be one of my own contacts is weird.
_bxg1 6y ago
When Android apps can freely draw over other apps without warning, privacy permissions feel almost like security-theater.

23 points by CyberSkys 6y ago

There is a point that the browser apps take a large number of permissions, but compared to apps, websites take much less of your data. That's one of the reasons why so many websites like reddit push you to use the app on mobile.

doc_gunthrop 6y ago
> That's one of the reasons why so many websites like reddit push you to use the app on mobile. The Yelp website is one of the biggest offenders in this regard. If you're not viewing it in desktop mode then be prepared to get redirected to the Play store any time you tap on any link.
- Red_Leaves_Flyy 6y ago
  I treat yelp and Pinterest links like links on [insert sketchy site].
brnt 6y ago
This is why I don't install apps, research shows they the best and fastest way to hand over your data to many unknown parties. It is why the official appstores (Googles or Apples) are fundamentally untrustworthy. They spread malware as a matter of course.

foepys 6y ago

Why do I need to enable JavaScript to read this text post? What exactly does JavaScript do here except unhide the content? Especially when this post talks about privacy and safety.

zzo38computer 6y ago
Like I often see, it is readable if you disable CSS too.

gcbw3 6y ago

android have means to let browser/apps download and save files locally in SD/Download without the Storage permission. Chrome decides not to use it, because reasons.

CyberSkys 6y ago
Yes, that's exactly the point - it's not required to ask for permissions - they still want to.

jamal_sayo 6y ago

this is definitely something to think about thank you

jj1sam 6y ago

its not a surprise that chrome is one of them..

bambam_stuff 6y ago

Definitely misused on Android.

iwasakabukiman 6y ago

Since the original post seems confused about why a browser would ask for contacts: A legitimate reason could be so that they can easily autofill forms for you.

l0b0 6y ago
What, for when I report my friends to the police? Seriously though, the assumption that I would be one of my own contacts is weird.

_bxg1 6y ago

When Android apps can freely draw over other apps without warning, privacy permissions feel almost like security-theater.