Blaze (he/him)Mar 2, 2025

Google’s Unannounced Update Scans All Your Photos—One Click Stops It

https://lemmy.zip/post/33133148

Google’s Unannounced Update Scans All Your Photos—One Click Stops It - Lemmy.zip

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26233189 [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 [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 [https://github.com/daboynb/SafetyCore-placeholder]

Show threadbam13302Mar 2, 2025

Top comment on the lemmy world this was cross posted with points out among other things that the app isn’t a system app and doesn’t otherwise have permissions to access most of what is claimed here, is there something I’m missing or is this just wrong?

Comment in question: discuss.tchncs.de/comment/16670102

Google’s Unannounced Update Scans All Your Photos—One Click Stops It - tchncs

“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 [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 [https://github.com/daboynb/SafetyCore-placeholder]

Show threaddesignatedhacker
You’re not missing anything. This is FUD.
Mar 2, 2025 at 12:49pmWeb
Show threadparmesanMar 2, 2025
Can you explain what you mean to a less technologically inclined person?
Show threadFlagstaffMar 2, 2025

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.

Show threadparmesanMar 2, 2025
Oh ok, thank you for the explanation. I also replaced it just to be safe
Show threaddesignatedhackerMar 2, 2025

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.

Show threadFlagstaffMar 2, 2025
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).
Show threadbdonvrMar 2, 2025
It’s not open source so it’s up to trusting Google for that to be true.