Android/Chrome permissions?

[Curious Mew]

Hi, I was wondering at what point does an app decide to run and access the permissions on your phone and/or browser? Does it begin accessing that information directly after the app is installed, or only when the app is running?

I have a couple apps on my phone that require FINE GPS location, and I don't exactly love the idea of being tracked everywhere I go by a potentially malicious app. I can understand permissions being allowed to run while the app is on, but is this true in the case of being closed and/or turned off?

Since making the switch from Firefox to Google Chrome (and an Android phone), I have suddenly came up against permission laden apps everywhere I go. It wasn't until downloading an Android app for Dictionary.com, that I have been more cautious about stupid apps ever since.

The app I just mentioned (a solid dictionary IMO) has this strange permission for accessing your GPS used by its 'Nearby' feature; which pins your most-recent searched word on a world map for others to see. I am assuming this information is still accessible to others when the app is closed.. though it really shouldn't be. If I want to search the word promiscuous just for kicks, I don't exactly want everyone in the world to see that.

Any thoughts or answers are appreciated, thanks

 

[chanchan05]

I'd say, its dependent on the app. In the app you say, if it "pins" the word to the map, it sounds like Foursquare: the pin is stored on their online database and not your phone, so even if you uninstall the app, its already up there in the internet for anyone to see. Its not running the permissions behind your back as you believe. Its like posting a status on Facebook. Even if you don't have Facebook open anywhere, your status post is already up there in the airwaves.

Apps that are malware for example would have unnecessary background services running and thereby using those permissions. For example, a flashlight app shouldn't have a background process running (as opposed to cached apps or legitimate background apps.).

If you're worried about a dictionary, why don't you use the Oxford or Merriam Webster apps?