Permission panic
Your torch wants your contacts. That’s a choice.
10 apps, 10 asks. Decide how much access each one needs, then see what your choices give away.
Does it need that to work?
In 2013, a US government agency took action against a torch app because it shared users’ exact locations with advertising companies without clearly telling them. The app had been downloaded tens of millions of times.
A torch doesn’t need to know where you are. So when an app asks for something, ask yourself three things before you tap: do I want the feature, do I trust the app, and what’s the least I can give it?
That app was after your location. This torch app wants something else. What do you tap?
Your call. Tap Don’t Allow or Allow.
Some requests ask for more than they need. Others help you do something useful. So how do you decide what to allow, and how much? Three questions can help you decide.
Do I want the feature?
WhatsApp asks for your camera so you can make video calls and take photos in the app. Makes sense because you need the camera for both. Discord asks for your microphone so you can join voice chat. Same thing. If you want the feature and you trust the app, allow it. If you don’t, say no. That feature just won’t work.
Imagine a calculator app that asks for your microphone the moment you open it. You might ask yourself what your mic has to do with adding up numbers.
If a permission doesn’t make sense for what you’re doing, say no. You can always turn it on later in Settings if you need it.
Do I trust the app?
Some apps need access to a lot. A VPN, for example, can send your internet activity through its servers. That means you need to trust the company behind it.
Free doesn’t automatically mean dodgy, and a big name or friendly description doesn’t automatically mean safe either. Check the app store page. Who made the app? Is there a real website and privacy policy? Does it clearly explain what happens to your data?
If you can’t work out who’s behind the app or what they’re doing with your data, don’t give it access.
What’s the least I can give it?
When an app asks for permission, you sometimes get more choices than just yes or no. Pick the smallest amount of access that still lets you do what you want.
For location, for example, While Using is usually enough. Always means the app can access your location in the background too, so there should be a good reason for it.
And you’re not stuck with your choice — you can change any permission later in Settings.
Use all three questions
Imagine you’re selling trainers on a second-hand app. You tap to add a picture, and it asks for your photos.
Do I want the feature? Yes, the listing needs a picture.
Do I trust the app? I know who made the app and I’m happy with how it says it will use my photos.
What’s the least I can give it? It only needs the picture I want to upload, not my whole camera roll. So I choose Selected Photos.
The habit Do I want the feature? Do I trust the app? What’s the least I can give it?
Why this matters
Review your answers
- Do I want the feature?
- Do I trust the app?
- What’s the least I can give it?
How to check permissions
On iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security. On Android: Settings → Security & privacy → Permission manager (the exact path varies by phone).