Privacy Guides

If it can't be uninstalled, try using adb commands from a computer to remove it. I got rid of a bunch of preinstalled stuff on my phone that way.

Now on GrapheneOS on the Pixel 6a. One of the best decisions I made :)

Blame the phone manufacturer, they are the ones that took the bribe to put it there just like with every other bundled crapware.

It's not unlikely to be an NSA thing which allows them to access everthing. That sounds paranoid, but Snowden happened so we know they were doing stuff like this 10 years ago:

DROPOUTJEEP .... "A software implant for the Apple iPhone that utilizes modular mission applications to provide specific SIGINT functionality. This functionality includes the ability to remotely push/pull files from the device. SMS retrieval, contact list retrieval, voicemail, geolocation, hot mic, camera capture, cell tower location, etc. Command, control and data exfiltration can occur over SMS messaging or a GPRS data connection. All communications with the implant will be covert and encrypted."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANT_catalog

To be honest, I think we just have to accept privacy is dead. The only real choice that remains is whether to regularly teabag our phones on on the off chance someone's looking.

I have a Pixel 7 and it isn't installed.

I always, disable or remove anything to do with Facebook or Meta, & lots of other crap, as a first sweep of a new phone or installation..👍🏼

Thanks for the heads up, fuck this bloat/spyware shit.

Shit like this is why I use a DeGoogled phone. Get a Pixel and install GrapheneOS or CalyxOS and use open source apps wherever you can, and sandbox any Google Play apps you have to use (banking, etc).

One more reason to use a custom ROM. Death to the bloat!

One of the pros of using a Pixel! Absolutely no bloat on my previous 4a or my current 7 besides a T-Mobile app that was installed because of my SIM card. Uninstalled that and I was golden.

Fairphone 3, don't have it 👌

All the phones I've had come with bloatware like this, I currently have a Xiaomi phone and MIUI itself is bloatware, the ROM is full of ads. Thankfully there is an "adb" software for Xiaomi phones that allows you to disable or remove this pre-installed malware.

Of the cheap Samsung, LG and huawei phones that I've had they also come with random bs pre-installed that can't be uninstalled without the help of third party software.

I have a pixel, no Facebook apps installed

This is why I avoid Samsung like the plague. Chinese brands atleast let you swap the stock ROM with whatever you like, with minimal effort.

consider grapheneos. i use it and its been great

For those that aren't aware, Universal Android Debloater is a great tool to uninstall/disable bloatware.

It lists out all potential bloatware found on your device and you could disable them with a mouse click. I always use it to debloat my new devices.

Thanks for sharing. Had no clue and just went and disabled all 3 of these apps of theirs

absolute bloatware, i just uninstalled this a few days ago

Some phones used to come with Facebook pre-installed, it's probably from that. Don't get a Samsung lol

Not installed on Pixel 5a (with Facebook app) or 6a

Why am I not surprised

Why can't I find any articles about decompiling and researching this one? :(

Ugh, stuff like this is why I bought a pixel. I got an s23 for "free" from T-Mobile, and it was so infested with spyware and bloat that even android debloater couldn't get it all.

GrapheneOS has basically made it all worthwhile. I do with I could have multiple (more than 2) profiles though.

This is why it's so nice to use CalyxOS. All the functionality of an Android with none of the crap and minimal bloat.

thanks for the heads up.