What Are App Permissions?
App permissions control which information or device features an app can access.
Free video lesson · 1:14
What Are App Permissions?
Cybersecurity Basics for Beginners
Music: “Thinking Music” by Kevin MacLeod. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.
App permissions control which information or device features an app can access.
Read the video transcript
App permissions are choices about what an app can access on your device. They might cover your camera, microphone, contacts, or location. Installing an app does not mean it needs access to everything.
Imagine a simple drawing app asks for your contact list. Ask what drawing a picture has to do with reading your friends' details. An unexpected request deserves a pause, even if the app looks friendly.
Some requests make sense. A video-call app needs a microphone so people can hear you. Where your device offers it, allow access only while using the app, instead of all the time.
You can review permissions later in device settings. Remove access that is no longer needed. If an app will not work without a permission you do not want to give, consider another app.
A permission grants access. It does not certify that an app is trustworthy. Match each request to a feature you actually want to use, and say no when the reason does not make sense.
To keep learning, watch How Do You Download Software Safely? Then try Why Should You Lock Your Screen?
The short answer
App permissions are choices about what an app can access on your device. They might cover your camera, microphone, contacts, or location. Installing an app does not mean it needs access to everything.
A simple example
Imagine a simple drawing app asks for your contact list. Ask what drawing a picture has to do with reading your friends' details. An unexpected request deserves a pause, even if the app looks friendly.
Some requests make sense. A video-call app needs a microphone so people can hear you. Where your device offers it, allow access only while using the app, instead of all the time.
You can review permissions later in device settings. Remove access that is no longer needed. If an app will not work without a permission you do not want to give, consider another app.
A permission grants access. It does not certify that an app is trustworthy. Match each request to a feature you actually want to use, and say no when the reason does not make sense.
Put it into practice
- Match each permission to a feature you intend to use.
- Choose access only while using the app where that meets your needs.
- Review permissions in settings and remove access you no longer need.
Check your understanding
A drawing app requests your contacts. Must you grant the permission because you installed the app?
Answer
No. Installing an app does not require approving every request. Ask what the permission is for, or choose another app.
Explore next
Follow the free video course one question at a time. Teams can practise these habits through security training. For the cryptography protecting your systems, explore a cryptography audit.
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