Earlier we heard about some of the new features that will be available in Android 12, one of those will be some major changes to privacy on Android.
Privacy Dashboard
One of the standout features in Android 12 is the new Privacy Dashboard. This dashboard is designed to provide users with a comprehensive view of how their data is being used by various apps. It will display a timeline of when apps accessed sensitive information such as location, camera, and microphone. This transparency will make it easier for users to understand and manage their privacy settings. For example, if you notice that an app has accessed your location multiple times in a day, you can decide whether to revoke its permission or limit its access.
Microphone and Camera Indicators
Another significant addition is the microphone and camera indicators. These indicators will appear in the status bar whenever an app is using the microphone or camera. This feature is similar to what Apple introduced in iOS 14, and it aims to provide users with real-time awareness of their device’s sensors being accessed. Alongside these indicators, Google is also adding quick toggles for the microphone and camera. These toggles will allow users to disable the microphone and camera across all apps with a single tap, providing an extra layer of security.
Additional Privacy Features
Android 12 is packed with a range of other new privacy features. For instance, there will be clipboard access notifications. Whenever an app reads data from the clipboard, a notification will appear, informing the user. This is particularly useful for preventing apps from accessing sensitive information that might be copied to the clipboard, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
Moreover, Android 12 will introduce approximate location permissions. Instead of giving apps access to your precise location, you can choose to provide an approximate location. This is beneficial for apps that don’t need your exact location to function, such as weather apps. By limiting the precision of location data, users can enjoy more privacy without compromising app functionality.
Another noteworthy feature is the new permission reset. If you haven’t used an app for an extended period, Android 12 will automatically reset its permissions. This means that dormant apps won’t have access to your data unless you explicitly grant them permission again. This feature helps in reducing the risk of data misuse by apps that you no longer actively use.
This release will give users more transparency around the data being accessed by apps while providing simple controls to make informed choices. Android is also investing in reducing the scope of permissions so that apps only have access to the data they need for the features they provide. Let’s look at some of these important changes we’ve made in Android 12 to protect user privacy.
In addition to these features, Google is also working on enhancing the security of the Android platform. For example, the new Android Private Compute Core ensures that sensitive data used for AI and machine learning processes remains on the device and is not shared with the cloud. This is crucial for maintaining user privacy while still benefiting from advanced AI features.
Furthermore, Android 12 will support more robust encryption standards, ensuring that data stored on the device is secure. This includes improvements to file-based encryption and the introduction of new encryption algorithms that are more resistant to attacks.
Overall, Android 12 is set to bring a host of privacy and security enhancements that will give users more control over their data. These features are part of Google’s ongoing commitment to making Android a more secure and privacy-focused platform.
Source Android Developers
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