Privacy Danger from Android Flashlight and other apps

Last Updated on December 1, 2019 by Christopher G Mendla

A friend sent a video about the dangers of  Flashlight apps for Android based devices.   Let me say that I am an App Junkie with dozens of apps on my phone and tablet.

The problem is that these apps are apparently being used to spy on your devices. Every app tells you what permissions it needs in order to be installed. However, most of us ignore that notice.

Think about it.. All a flashlight app needs to do is turn on the light on your phone.. That’s it.  Why would it need your location?? What could it possibly need access to your phonebook?

Those permissions seem normal. The prevent phone from sleeping is required to keep the light on when the phone would normally sleep. The Take pictures and Videos is needed to control the light.

So, what can you do to protect yourself?

• Go through your phone or tablet and remove apps you no longer need by going to Settings, Applications.
• Look at the remaining applications by opening each one under settings/applications and looking at the permissions. Evaluate the permissions listed with your need for the app and if the permissions make sense.
• When you download apps in the future, always take a look at the permissions and evaluate the app as mentioned above.
• When you do updates, the android device will automatically update apps whose permissions have not changed. However, there are usually manual updates required. Before you do the update, check and evaluate the permissions.