Android P to prevent apps from using phone's camera in the background

Another Android P feature tipped.

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According to a source code commit spotted by XDA Developers, the next Android OS will prevent background apps from using the phone's camera. While the feature is useful for privacy-oriented users, there's more to this feature.

 
Android P to prevent apps from using phone's camera in the background

The restriction depends on app's User ID (UID), which the OS assigns to every single app that is being installed on the device. The UID's are unique for every app and does not change until the time the apps remain on the phone.

 

The commit suggests that Android P will be capable of detecting when a UID is 'idle,' or when an app is working in the background after a certain time duration. The OS will then generate an error to prevent access to the camera. The software will immediately generate an error as long as the UID remains in the background.

The Doze feature restricts background apps' access to CPU and network-intensive services. Android Oreo also asks apps to display a notification when actively using the camera of the device. The new Android P will be an extension of the existing camera restrictions.

The new feature will be a good tool against malicious apps that silently record videos or take pictures without user's knowledge. This will also give relief to users who feel iffy about the front snapper.

This is not the first time we have come across an Android P feature. There were reports that the designers are working on the OS to work with a notch similar to the one seen on Apple's flagship iPhone X. The Google Assistant is also said to be an integral part of the user interface. It is good to see that the company is working on features that will help keep users' data safe and secure for malware, considering the growing number of cyberattacks.

According to a report Malwarebytes, hackers managed to breach the security barrier of millions of Android phones through malicious ad redirect scam. The exact method is yet to be determined, but it seems the users downloaded the malicious apps that redirected them to a website.

Evolution of Android - Cupcake to Nougat - GIZBOT

The website directly prompted that it was using the infected device to mine the cryptocurrency, and would only stop if the user enters a valid CAPTCHA code. The average of time spent by users on this malicious site was around four minutes, but the site had over 30 million visitors per month. If we add the numbers, it is evident that the hackers have mined a huge crypto amount.

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