Upon installation, Android applications request a set of permissions, such as access to the camera, microphone, contacts, messages, and accessibility features. While some of these permissions are essential for the app to function, others may be completely unrelated to its core utility.
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Although many users automatically agree to all permission requests, doing so can compromise the phone's privacy and security. Certain permissions can allow malicious applications to monitor activity, record audio, track location, or even install other apps without the user's knowledge.
This does not mean that every app requesting these permissions is harmful, but the crucial step is to ensure that the permission aligns with the app's function. For instance, a scanner app legitimately needs the camera, but a calculator app requesting the same permission should be considered suspicious, according to a report by the tech news website BGR.
Here are 5 Android app permissions you should avoid granting to protect your data:
1. Accessibility Services
Accessibility features are designed to help individuals with disabilities use their phones, such as reading text aloud. However, granting this permission to an untrusted application can be highly dangerous.
An app with this level of access can monitor what appears on the screen, read messages, track keystrokes, and even perform actions on behalf of the user, such as making purchases or changing phone settings.
Therefore, it is advised to only grant this permission to apps that genuinely require it. You can check which apps have this access via:
Settings > Accessibility > Installed Apps or Services.
2. Display Over Other Apps (Appear on Top)
Known by various names such as "Appear on top" or "Display over other apps," this permission allows an application to show content over the interface of another app.
While some apps use this legitimately—such as chat applications displaying floating bubbles—malicious apps can exploit it to create fake login screens or trick users into granting dangerous permissions.
As a result, it is best to deny this permission to untrusted apps. You can review apps that possess it through:
Settings > Apps > Special access > Appear on top (or Display over other apps).
3. Install Unknown Apps
Allowing apps to install software from unknown sources is one of the most hazardous permissions on Android. When enabled, it allows an application to download and install software from outside the Google Play Store.
This could lead to the installation of malware or apps that are difficult to delete later, in addition to draining storage space and device resources.
To check which apps have this permission, go to:
Settings > Apps > Special access > Install unknown apps.
4. Usage Data Access
The "Usage data access" permission allows applications to see what other apps you use, how often you use them, and how much time you spend on them.
While this might seem harmless, it enables apps to build a detailed profile of the user's daily habits, which can then be utilized for targeted advertising or sold to third-party data firms.
To review apps with this access, go to:
Settings > Apps > Special access > Usage data access.
5. Access to Contacts and Messages (SMS)
Contacts and text messages contain highly sensitive information, such as names, phone numbers, and bank verification texts.
Granting these permissions to untrusted apps can lead to data leaks or misuse. Malicious apps could potentially intercept two-factor authentication (2FA) codes sent by banks to hijack accounts.
Therefore, these permissions should only be granted to essential apps, such as default calling or messaging clients. You can verify which apps have these permissions by navigating to:
Settings > Apps > Permission manager > Contacts / SMS.
Ultimately, permissions are not inherently dangerous on their own; the risk depends entirely on the app receiving them. It is always best to only grant permissions linked to an app's core functionality and avoid any unnecessary access.
