App Permissions You Should Always Check

permissions

I am a firm believer that there really is an app for just about everything–whether you need it or not. Apps are wonderful things and they can expand the functionality and convenience of smartphones by a power of 10. However, with all good things come catches, and those catches are app permissions. While permissions like saving to storage or accessing wifi really aren’t a big deal, here are some permissions that you should always pay attention to and make sure that the app really needs to do that before installing:

Location

What is it: This permission gives an app permission to access your location. There are two different kinds: Approximate location, which is network based and usually only going to locate you within a few miles based on network towers, and precise location, which uses GPS for your exact location.

When you should allow it: This permission makes sense for navigation apps or things that involve your location, like posting to Facebook or Waze. The approximate location is often used for advertising purposes. If the app does not involve any kind of location to function, I’d avoid it.

Phone Calls/Phone Status/Device ID

What is it: These are very common permissions which encompass range of things, which is why they is so common (and often used interchangeably). These permissions allow the app to access/modify/write call history on your device. It can view numbers that you dial, how long you were on the phone and make calls to numbers. It also allows the app to reroute outgoing calls through a different server/method and allows the app to read/store information about your device like the IMEI and other identifying information.

When you should allow it: If the app is related to making calls (like a dialer app, Skype or Hangouts) or has a social aspect then this permission isn’t going to be too out of the ordinary. However, if the app doesn’t seem to have a need to know about your call history and other information, then you might want to think twice. If it seems fishy, email the developer and wait to install it.

SMS/MMS Permission

What is it: This allows the app to read, write, edit and send text and picture messages with or without your consent.

When you should allow it: If the app is something that involves messaging then this is going to be necessary. If the app is not social or does not really involve texting, then I’d stay far away.

Contacts

What is it: This allows the app to read, write and modify your contacts

When you should allow it: Obviously, if the app is social then it will need permission to add contacts to your phone as well as search current contacts.

Account/Identity

What is it: This gives the app permission to find and access accounts on your device such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Email or other accounts you have stored. It may also be able to read contact information, add or remove accounts and modify your contacts, depending on the permission.

When you should allow it: This is a very common permission as well, and any app that wants to integrate with your Facebook account will probably ask for this. This is acceptable if the app has a need to use your account for something, or if it’s related to, again, something social.

You’re probably seeing a trend with this, right? Most of these permissions are relevant for social media apps, and that’s ok. As a general rule, you should always read through the permissions for each app and make sure that it makes sense for the app to require that. While most apps are legitimate, an unscrupulous programmer could easily take advantage of some or all of these permissions. Some antivirus and security apps also provide a running list of which apps require permissions so that you can occasionally review and make sure that you don’t have any unnecessary information sharing going on. When in doubt, check the description for the app and email the developer to ask why the permission is needed. If the app developer is honest they’ll tell you why. If they do not respond, then just pass and move on. There are always more apps!]]>

Posted in