[Powdah]

Would it not be better for BBRY to allow apps to install normally and allow the app to function normally, but create a means to block them access to the outside world unless allowed. Then one would not need to worry about missing something as the user would set the allowances in a BBRY firewall instead of going through the app permissions which could stop the app from working.

[Timothy Friesen]

Would it not be better for BBRY to allow apps to install normally and allow the app to function normally, but create a means to block them access to the outside world unless allowed. Then one would not need to worry about missing something as the user would set the allowances in a BBRY firewall instead of going through the app permissions which could stop the app from working.

This is probably unlikely. I would imagine having access to the Play Store comes with agreements that would prevent what you are suggesting. How else would the app vendor verify that their app functions in the way that they want it to?

[6stringriffs]

Would it not be better for BBRY to allow apps to install normally and allow the app to function normally, but create a means to block them access to the outside world unless allowed. Then one would not need to worry about missing something as the user would set the allowances in a BBRY firewall instead of going through the app permissions which could stop the app from working.

Wait for the OS upgrade to Marshmallow or buy a Nexus phone. This will allow you to deny permissions while the app still works. Marshmallow spoofs the data if you deny an app access to Contacts for example. Prime examples: Android Facebook, Viber, NFL Mobile. All 3 apps ask for a ton of permissions. Denied them all (except for Contacts on Viber for obvious reasons). Apps still work perfectly.

[Powdah]

That is good, but I still do not like the inefficient way Android operates. Maybe Marshmallow will be better. Hate working on my wife's phone.

[crucial bbq]

Would it not be better for BBRY to allow apps to install normally and allow the app to function normally, but create a means to block them access to the outside world unless allowed. Then one would not need to worry about missing something as the user would set the allowances in a BBRY firewall instead of going through the app permissions which could stop the app from working.

This would be in violation of Compatibility as vendors are not allowed to outright block how any specific app works. That is why some permissions with some apps cannot be turned off and why spoofing the data collected is okay.

Wait for the OS upgrade to Marshmallow or buy a Nexus phone. This will allow you to deny permissions while the app still works. Marshmallow spoofs the data if you deny an app access to Contacts for example. Prime examples: Android Facebook, Viber, NFL Mobile. All 3 apps ask for a ton of permissions. Denied them all (except for Contacts on Viber for obvious reasons). Apps still work perfectly.

This is a cool feature but it begs the question why Google just does not require all permissions to be turned on or off by the end user like on BB10. The answer of course is that the vendors of such apps collect your data to sell for profit or to target advertising and blocking that would impede on their ability to "earn a living" and as such might be enough to take their apps elsewhere; it allows for the majority of apps in Play to remain free.

But this still remains a huge annoyance with Android (and Linux in general). Instead of removing/reversing/altering the functionality they just build a work-around on top of it, ad nauseam.

Also, just what are they spoofing with? Lorem ipsum? Is your battery state data being sent instead of location? Are they pulling info from another Android device completely to mock as your own?

[nickdollimount]

Would it not be better for BBRY to allow apps to install normally and allow the app to function normally, but create a means to block them access to the outside world unless allowed. Then one would not need to worry about missing something as the user would set the allowances in a BBRY firewall instead of going through the app permissions which could stop the app from working.

Give this a try; it does exactly what you're describing. I use it and am quite pleased with it. No ads; completely free. The author has a separate download for donation if you want.

NoRoot Data Firewall

[tickerguy]

The bigger problem is that there are utterly no standards, rules or laws for that matter regulating conduct of these apps and what they do.

A huge percentage collect data on location even when fully backed out of and a few will restart on their own even if you force-close them, then go right back to it. A material number of them will not just grab network location either; they will grab "fine" location (GPS) and some get extremely aggressive if they cannot get a GPS lock (e.g. you're inside a metal building) which does horrid things to your battery, never mind the precision of what's being sent out.

Most apps that do this pull data every 5 minutes or so. The precision that this affords the person with the data is unbelievable and virtually nobody realizes it's going on, or how much data is being uploaded to who and what it contains.

DTEK gives you a small window into this. Start running traces with Wireshark or similar out of an Android or IOS device and your eyes will literally bug out of your head.

[steffcip]

Give this a try; it does exactly what you're describing. I use it and am quite pleased with it. No ads; completely free. The author has a separate download for donation if you want.

NoRoot Data Firewall

uses a VPN which by using it may not be very safe for a free app to redirect all internet traffic through

[nickdollimount]

uses a VPN which by using it may not be very safe for a free app to redirect all internet traffic through

The only information I would be worried about passing through would be banking applications but those use SSL so the data is encrypted as normal so it's a non-issue for me. I've tested speed with and without the app enabled and found absolutely no difference in speed. The developer advises a few times in their XDA thread that it merely proxies the traffic and "doesn't have its own server". Of course, take that for what it's worth, but I'm not too worried.

[APP][4.0+] NoRoot Data Firewall - Manager your mobile/WIFI data on NoRoot device - Post #28