this post was submitted on 22 Mar 2025
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Privacy

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104
Android Apps Use Bluetooth and WiFi Scanning to Track Users Without GPS (cyberinsider.com)
submitted 2 days ago by Blaze@lemmy.zip to c/privacy@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/25439167

A new study reveals that thousands of Android apps covertly collect location data using Bluetooth and WiFi beacons, allowing continuous tracking and profiling of users without explicit consent.

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[–] Wobble@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I had it today, I was with a friend and they got a notification "Hey! Youre quite close to us, come and have some food!". I shudder to think the picture that is painted just by being in proximity to people that have zero regard for their data.

[–] easily3667@lemmus.org 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Google did that to me a few years back when I went to a coffee shop. And that's how I began my journey towards calyx/lineage. (For privacy - had used lineage for long term support before)

[–] absentrevision@lemm.ee 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Graphene OS / no Google account / no sim / perma airplane mode here

I also try to only install FOSS software and keep it minimal

[–] sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

How do you make phone calls / use the internet away from home with no SIM?

[–] absentrevision@lemm.ee 1 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

I don't, I use public WiFi and plan more. I use open street maps offline and have music etc. Saved locally

It seemed daunting at first but now it's just a way of life for me

[–] SmackemWittadic@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Well, honestly what do people expect if they give apps access to that information without having the app provide a reasonable justification as to why it needs that information?

Edit: Not saying the people are the root cause, the apps that take advantage of them are assholes, but people should be more stringent on the information they provide

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Unfortunately most people (even technical people) don't think that hard, or can't be bothered.

I said this as early as 2010, and my technical peers (I'm in IT) called me paranoid.

[–] SmackemWittadic@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Yeah that's unfortunately true.

What most people tell me when I try to advise them is:

"I've been doing it this way for years. So if what I'm doing is wrong then companies already have my data and it's pointless to change. And if the companies don't have my data already, then what I'm doing is fine and it's pointless to change."

Edited for clarity