Android 12: If your phone displays a camera or microphone icon, someone may be watching you | Independent

2021-12-16 08:01:37 By : Mr. Ken Cen

Android 12 can now track which applications have accessed sensitive information, such as location, calendar, call history, contacts, files, etc.

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Google’s latest operating system, Android 12, has a key feature that ensures that malicious individuals will not access the user’s camera and microphone.

The entire operating system update includes a large number of privacy tools, such as the locked folder in Google Photos, the quick delete function to clear the browsing history of Google Chrome, and the "Privacy Dashboard."

One of the new features is the indicator in the upper right corner of the top screen of the phone, if the application requires access to the hardware, the camera or microphone icon will be displayed.

This update means that hackers or dangerous applications will no longer be able to quietly access such personal data-a problem that users have been worried about in the past.

In July 2020, an Instagram bug could activate the "camera on" notification on the iPhone when users are not taking pictures or taking pictures, leading people to believe that the app is monitoring them.

In addition to icons, Android 12 can now track which apps have accessed sensitive information. This includes cameras and microphones, as well as location, calendar, call history, contacts, files, etc.

Users can find it in the privacy dashboard of the Settings app, which displays a list and a pie chart that shows the personal hardware or software most needed.

There is also a special button in the quick settings bar-which can be found by pulling down from the top of the phone-to completely turn off the microphone and camera of the entire phone.

When opening an application that requires these permissions, when making a call or using the native camera application, Android will notify the user through a button that the restriction has been set to undo it.

Android 12 is currently available on Google’s Pixel devices, Samsung’s S21 and Note series, and Oppo and OnePlus’ flagship products.

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