91
submitted 2 months ago by flork@lemy.lol to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

I recently asked the /c/Android community what information Google has access to on stock Android, assuming the user is not using any Google apps, and was told Google has full "unstoppable" access to the entire device, including Signal messages, the microphone, duckduckgo search history and anything displayed on the screen at all times.

Does this mean that encrypted messaging is essentially pointless to use on Android? I'm a newb here so go easy on me.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] N0t_5ure@lemmy.world 43 points 2 months ago

Android apps are sandboxed

FWIW, they're not sandboxed from google play services:

The Play Store Services process has access to your precise location at all times, the motion sensors, networks, hardware identifiers (including IMEI), contacts, passwords, the entire storage space, call logs, access to other apps’ data, and more.

Accordingly, google would have access to the Signal data on your phone. However, I don't know whether the encryption would provide a measure of protection against google. GrapheneOS by default does not use google play services, and provides a sandboxed version for people who need the functionality.

[-] Natanael@slrpnk.net 11 points 2 months ago

It's possible but complicated.

Since apps have access to the TPM API they can encrypt their own data in such a way that only the app's own authorized processes can retrieve the decryption key from the TPM chip

[-] vrighter@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 2 months ago

and the os. Always the os, if it has root access :)

[-] Thorned_Rose@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago

Unless you're using GrapheneOS and then the answer is "Mostly but it depends".

this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2025
91 points (100.0% liked)

Privacy

44365 readers
1725 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS