138
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] chaircat@lemdro.id 12 points 1 year ago

How are they managing to do this? Surely it requires a permission in Android to access the list of installed apps, right?

[-] sugartits@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

It's a default permission which can't be revoked.

[-] chaircat@lemdro.id 5 points 1 year ago

Wow that seems like a strange permission to have as default. It doesn't seem like very many apps have a legitimate need for listing other installed apps unless I'm missing something.

[-] BuddyTheBeefalo@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago

Google puts limits on which apps can see what's installed on an Android device Only antivirus programs, file managers and similar will be able to see other apps on a user's device.

https://www.engadget.com/google-restriction-apps-that-can-see-other-apps-111037925.html

[-] sugartits@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Plugins and addons for other apps is probably the original motivator for this. Also handy to check if an app is present to listen to the intent signal you're about to send out.

Of course, then the malware/spyware writers got ahold of it and here we are. Something with good intentions and assholes come along and ruin it for everyone. Kinda like pop up windows and cookies.

[-] outbound5231@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

It might be checking for specific root-related files on your device.

this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
138 points (99.3% liked)

Technology

59346 readers
5311 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.


Our Rules


  1. Follow the lemmy.world rules.
  2. Only tech related content.
  3. Be excellent to each another!
  4. Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
  5. Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
  6. Politics threads may be removed.
  7. No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
  8. Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
  9. Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS