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]

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]

You’re not missing anything. This is FUD.
Can you explain what you mean to a less technologically inclined person?

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.

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