Expert warns against blindly granting app permissions on smartphones (4 photos)

Most of us rely on smartphones loaded with a variety of apps. When installing a new app, approving permission requests often feels like a routine chore—we tap "allow" without a second thought. However, experts warn that this step is crucial, cautioning users against blindly handing over access to key device features.





Gennady Nikolayev, a senior IT expert at the Academy of Finance and Investment Management, told reporters that users should be far more selective when granting access to location, contacts, the microphone, camera, and storage. Software developers often seek access to personal data for targeted advertising.



However, targeted ads are the least of your worries—a far bigger threat is that your data could wind up in the hands of fraudsters who use it for illegal activities. The expert explained that in the world of big data, any information that can yield a profit holds value.

Banks, for instance, often use location data gathered through apps to decide where to install ATMs and payment terminals. But other companies collect data purely to resell it. These data brokers aren't picky about their clients and will sell your personal information to cybercriminals without a second thought.

Apps from unknown developers pose a particularly high risk. When installing them, it's vital to check whether the requested permissions align with what the app actually does. In other words, if you're installing a simple game like Tetris, alarm bells should ring if it asks for your location, contacts, and camera access. Nikolayev cautions:

Pay close attention to SMS permissions. Granting them allows bad actors to access your text messages and—most dangerously—read bank messages containing one-time passwords for logging into online banking and confirming transactions.





You should also be wary of sharing access to your contacts. Fraudsters can leverage this to steal phone numbers and email addresses belonging to your family and friends, or even locate their social media accounts. Needless to say, granting camera access allows unauthorized users to take photos and record videos without your knowledge, while microphone access lets criminals eavesdrop on your phone calls and everyday conversations.

Access to internal storage gives scammers free rein over your device. They can tamper with any saved file, which often leads to blackmail or ransomware attacks, where your data is encrypted and held hostage for payment.



Nikolayev concluded by noting that downloading apps from official storefronts like the App Store and Google Play carries significantly lower risk. Apps available on these platforms undergo rigorous vetting and typically do not request unnecessary permissions upon installation.

Today, developers also offer specialized firewall apps that block unauthorized external access to your data. For the extra privacy-conscious, privacy screen apps are available to stop shoulder surfers from peeking at your screen in public or on public transit.