• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Google chrome and search permissions

Napalm

Napalm

Android Expert
Anyone notice the new permisions for Chrome, Search, and Translate from Google?

The bits about control over your camera, and microphone and speaker I find bothersome.

So I haven't updated in 2 weeks. and I've not found any good information as to why these permissions were added. I've tried to send a note to google to ask them why this is required.

anyone on here have information? Did any of you question it? I don't like the idea of an app that is a Browser, taking control over me speaker, microphone and camera

I've searched but not seen a post about this yet, so I thought I'd start one.
 
Since it can do voice search, it makes perfect sense that the app has access to microphone and speaker. The camera access is probably for Google Goggles search.
 
Yes the the permission says without user input or control.

IE it can activate recordings without telling you it is. Or activate the camera with telling you, or you asking it to.

devil is in the details.

Hardware Controls
Record Audio: Allows the app to record audio with the microphone. This permission allows the app to record audio at any time without your confirmation.

New - Take Pictures and Video
This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.

Those items I find bothersome for a browser - let alone the search app, that has the same permissions. I get that you would activate voice or camera for google voice search, but you should be pushing a button and activating it. Not the app having permission to do it without telling you the microphone or camera is active.

I don't like the idea that you are giving google permission to record off your microphone and not tell you its recording.
 
There will be good reasons behind it mate. Google is a developer team that i think you can definately trust. If one of their apps did anything dodgy it would be found out very quickly and their reputation would be shattered.
i understand having caution about permissions but i think google apps are safe (call me naive lol) :)
 
There will be good reasons behind it mate. Google is a developer team that i think you can definately trust. If one of their apps did anything dodgy it would be found out very quickly and their reputation would be shattered.
i understand having caution about permissions but i think google apps are safe (call me naive lol) :)
 
Is says WITHOUT confirmation.


IE the app doesn't need to notify you that its recording off your microphone, or camera.

You might not know you are taking video. and it has unlimited access to network data so it transmits whatever, WITHOUT you knowing its doing it.
 
Maybe a dev can chime in here...but I believe that when they go through the permission requests for their apps the statements are relatively broad. So, if Google Goggles wants to use the camera it has to ask for very broad camera permissions and can't get all granular. (Which is probably a flaw in the set up of the Play Store IF that is true.)

Trust google. Recording the sound of your phone while it is in your pocket isn't worth the millions they would lose in market cap or users if they were pulling stuff off behind your back.

THOSE EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL MONKEYS AT FACEBOOK ON THE OTHE...sorry. I digress.
 
Napalm said:
Is says WITHOUT confirmation.


IE the app doesn't need to notify you that its recording off your microphone, or camera.

You might not know you are taking video. and it has unlimited access to network data so it transmits whatever, WITHOUT you knowing its doing it.
Click to expand...

I have a feeling that "confirmation" means like an "are you sure: yes/no" pop up so the permission could simply be there to save us another annoying second tap on the screen but im not sure tbh :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom