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Location tracking of phones is out of control. Here’s how to fight back.
(arstechnica.com)
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this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2024
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Teams is the worst, you can’t join any call if you don’t allow it to scan your local network. I wish the executives a very nice and agonizing death.
I haven't done an extensive survey or anything, but every modern router I've interacted with supports setting up a secondary WiFi network with guest isolation (so anything on that SSID can't see any network device besides the router and itself). This is useful for apps or hardware that is untrusted and/or demands unjustified permissions.
Correct, using the guest network is better but I think turning off WiFi and just using mobile data is sufficient. I wonder if the permission applies to cellular connectivity as well.
Sure, removing your network from the equation is definitely a more secure option; just make sure the app isn't using those granted permissions in the background when you're done using it and log back into your network.
On what device? I have Nearby Devices and Location disallowed on Android, and it still works fine.
Side note. Teams is the worst. Just, period.
iOS, it’s been that way for a long time…
Interesting. I wonder if that's an iOS requirement that Teams is forced into. Somehow, I doubt it.
Oh no, it absolutely isn’t. It’s actually a feature apple implemented to stop apps from scanning and interfacing with the devices on your local network without your approval and Teams has zero explanation on why it needs that permission nor why the calls can’t be made without it while every single other app is able to do so without that permission.
The only other apps that require it are device specific apps (printer, local smart home stuff, FTP, DLNA, etc) and network scanners.
Is it possible that Android doesn’t have that permission and therefore Teams is able to scan the network regardless? You could test it out with an SSH or network scanner app for example
That's a good question. I'm not sure. Well, guess I'm firing up the Wireshark.