Your phone's apps could have more permissions than they need. Adnan Ahmed for Engadget Staying mindful of which apps you install is always wise. Though Android and iOS have effective built-in security measures, some apps may still pose risks if they access sensitive information or device features.
An app requesting camera, location, text message or file access doesn't necessarily mean it's unsafe — but asking why it needs them is wise, especially if they relate little to what the app does. Reviewing permissions regularly helps keep personal data secure. Both platforms let you check easily through their settings menus.
If you don't want an app accessing your location in the background, you can revoke that permission or change it so the app can only access your location while actively using it. Your device's camera and location are especially sensitive; iOS shows a green dot when your camera is in use, an orange dot when an app listens via the microphone, and a blue icon when an app pings your whereabouts. Android phones use similar status bar icons, and swiping down reveals the Control Center or quick settings panel to see which app accesses these features.
On iOS, any third-party app must request permission before accessing contacts, photos, location or microphone. You can tap Allow Once for temporary access or select Allow While Using App if you trust the service. Permissions can be managed anytime via Settings > Privacy & Security, where each permission type appears alongside the number of apps accessing it.
You can revoke access by toggling off an app's name. Apps like Google Maps or Uber may work optimally only if granted Precise Location permission set to Always. You can also dial back permissions on a per-app basis, setting camera roll access to Limited Access to share only selected photos and videos.
Enabling App Privacy Report lets you view which apps accessed your data and monitor network activity for contacting domains.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing