Comment on Location tracking of phones is out of control. Here’s how to fight back.
Drunemeton@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
One thing I am always aware of are apps that want permission to access Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi and/or Networks.
Even though Bluetooth is very short ranged it can still be used to tie you into a location within a database based on other database records that are more detailed.
Yeah, I love playing you “My Great Dog-sitting Simulator” (not a real app) but you do not need access to my BT. The OS handles sending your audio to my headphones!
I remember when Bluetooth started demanding location permissions. You’ll never convince me that it’s functionally required or provides any benefit other than furthering efforts to spy on the user.
When it started being rolled out, I avoided any app or hardware that made that demand. Sadly, that’s no longer an option if I want any Bluetooth at all.
It’s not like Bluetooth started demanding location permissions, the conceptual model of the permission was revised: having access Bluetooth means an app could determine your location via a form of lateration.
In earlier versions of smartphone operating systems, this was not transparent to users lacking the technical background, so Bluetooth also requiring location access is actually an honest attempt at making users aware of that. I’m not an iOS developer, so I can’t comment on iPhones, but on Android versions prior to 11, having access to Bluetooth meant an app would be able to determine your location.
Today, you can require the permission ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, which expresses that your app might use Bluetooth to obtain location information on Android. Also, if you’re just scanning for nearby devices to connect your app to, but don’t want users to be confused why your smart fridge app needs to know your precise location, you can declare a permission flag (neverForLocation) and Android will strip beacon information from the scan results, better asserting your intentions.
I knew that someone would try to convince me. You won’t convince me.
… Though your argument is pretty compelling.
I don’t think he wanted to convince you, he just explained the backgroundon how you can track locations with bluetooth.
Whaaat? I definitely use Bluetooth without location services, and always have?
I believe it’s only required during the pairing process, but as the other observer pointed out, I don’t know much about it. If you’re able to circumvent the process, more power to you!
asbestos@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Teams is the worst, you can’t join any call if you don’t allow it to scan your local network. I wish the executives a very nice and agonizing death.
toynbee@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I haven’t done an extensive survey or anything, but every modern router I’ve interacted with supports setting up a secondary WiFi network with guest isolation (so anything on that SSID can’t see any network device besides the router and itself). This is useful for apps or hardware that is untrusted and/or demands unjustified permissions.
asbestos@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Correct, using the guest network is better but I think turning off WiFi and just using mobile data is sufficient. However, I winder if the permission applies to cellular connectivity as well.
toynbee@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Sure, removing your network from the equation is definitely a more secure option; just make sure the app isn’t using those granted permissions in the background when you’re done using it and log back into your network.
01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 2 weeks ago
On what device? I have Nearby Devices and Location disallowed on Android, and it still works fine.
Side note. Teams is the worst. Just, period.
asbestos@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
iOS, it’s been that way for a long time…
01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 2 weeks ago
Interesting. I wonder if that’s an iOS requirement that Teams is forced into. Somehow, I doubt it.