Android's next OS "Android P" prevents spy applications from activating cameras & microphones without permission

byEsther Vargas

"Android P" is the next OS corresponding to version 9.0 following Android Oreo (Android 8.0, 8.1), and it is said that development is currently underway. Although information on what kind of function is installed in Android P is also known little by little, "When the application accesses smartphone's camera and microphone without user's permission and steals user's privacy The 'spy application disturbing function' to prevent it will be installed "is strengthening.

Android P will Prevent Background Apps from Accessing the Camera
https://www.xda-developers.com/android-p-background-apps-camera/

Android P will also Prevent Idle Background Apps from Recording you via Microphone
https://www.xda-developers.com/android-p-audio-recording-limitations-privacy/

Applications on smartphones use cameras and microphones, and in general applications that access smartphone cameras and microphones require user permission and will not boot arbitrarily even when you are not using the app. However, if a background application accesses the camera and microphone arbitrarily and there is a malicious application developer trying to steal the user's personal information, it is very difficult for the user to notice it and take countermeasures. In fact, users can only trust that the app does not steal privacy with the trust "This app is probably okay."

In order to solve this problem on Android P, it is expected that the background application will not be able to access camera and microphone without user's permission. this isAndroid Open Source ProjectIt is found by the source code released by the system, it allocates an individual identifier to the installed application and prevents accessing the camera and the microphone from the background application.

byvagueonthehow

Android has a lot of malware included applicationsTo be developedAlthough it was desired to improve security aspects, such as restricting access to cameras and microphones this time, it is expected to meet that expectation. If the new specification of Android P interferes with access to an unauthorized camera or microphone of the spy application, many spy apps that illegally send camera video and audio data will be useless.