Privacy

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Google’s Unannounced Update Scans All Your Photos—One Click Stops It (www.forbes.com)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

12 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26233189

"Android System SafetyCore’ claims to be a ‘security’ application, but whilst running in the background, it collects call logs, contacts, location, your microphone, and much more making this application ‘spyware’ and a HUGE privacy concern. It is strongly advised to uninstall this program if you can. To do this, navigate to 'Settings’ > 'Apps’, then delete the application."

If you don't want to navigate android settings you can also simply uninstall it from the Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.safetycore

Additionaly you can install this placeholder app to prevent Google from reinstalling it every time it updates: https://github.com/daboynb/SafetyCore-placeholder

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Can you explain what you mean to a less technologically inclined person?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

FUD = Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt: the paranoia over the topic is needless and you don't have to take any action.

I disagree with this view and did replace SafetyCore with the dummy placeholder .APK, personally.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Oh ok, thank you for the explanation. I also replaced it just to be safe

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

As discussed in other threads it's a non system APK which holds no dangerous permissions and can't gain them. It will (once enabled and if you let it) scan inbound and outbound messages for nudity. It's there to prevent people from receiving unsolicited nudes without consent, or if they're sending nudes make sure they aren't falling into some pedo groomer blackmail.

I understand the initial response, but now that the info is available I question the motives of people still spreading it.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago

Well, then I trust my own ability to not fall prey to such blackmail and would rather omit the scanning for battery life's sake. So yes, I'm nitpicky (if that's the conclusion).

[–] [email protected] 4 points 23 hours ago

It's not open source so it's up to trusting Google for that to be true.