Apps can bypass Android's Mocked Location using Cell tower data.
from tdTrX@lemmy.ml to privacy@lemmy.ml on 16 Jan 17:46
https://lemmy.ml/post/41779687

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mmi.map…

cell tower data.

#privacy

threaded - newest

clean_anion@programming.dev on 16 Jan 18:46 collapse

Could the app be using cell tower data to bypass mock location settings? The Github repository says it identifies a user’s location using cell tower data.

tdTrX@lemmy.ml on 16 Jan 18:58 collapse

Apps can do that ?

Sxan@piefed.zip on 16 Jan 19:23 next collapse

Do you mean request connected tower information from the OS? Yes.

tdTrX@lemmy.ml on 16 Jan 19:29 next collapse

What permission to deny to block that ?

kumi@feddit.online on 16 Jan 21:11 collapse

Phone. And Location 🙃

One example of how permissions UI on Android is too coarse. Arguably mocking location is a questionable use but this pattern crops up everywhere. I think users must have more fine-grained control over what apps can access regardless of what devs put in their mainfests. It’s reasonable that a user wants an app to have access to GPS coordinates and network access but not cell or wifi info.

In general GrapheneOS gives more flexibility and power to the user than stock but I’m not sure if they go far enough to support what you want to do.

dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 16 Jan 19:38 collapse

It’s cringe. The thorns thing. I thought you might liked to hear that

astropenguin5@lemmy.world on 16 Jan 20:56 collapse

I have a feeling þey don’t give a shit

artyom@piefed.social on 17 Jan 16:03 next collapse

More importantly, the OS can and does do that. More easily and accurately it can determine your location based on nearby WiFi SSIDs and their associated strengths by comparing it to a map that was created by collecting said info from other users. Apps can access this location information from the OS.

NarrativeBear@lemmy.world on 18 Jan 00:24 collapse

Yup, have you ever noticed for example if you are using a maps app like Google maps with wifi off you location tends to jump around a lot. With wifi on its general more accurate.