Serious Question: Why Does Firefox for Android require so much Access to my personal data?
Greetings everyone,
Sorry to be creating a thread about this, but it's a serious question I need help with.
I was just about to install Firefox for my old Android phone. However, before installing Firefox it warns me that it requires access to a bunch of my personal data... :(
Why is this the case?
I currently use Google Chrome on this Android phone.
I'd really appreciate any advice.
All Replies (16)
Thank you for your response James!
What's giving the most anxiety is knowing that by installing Firefox for my Android phone it'll have access to my Android phone's camera.
Is it possible to stop Firefox from having access to my Android phone's camera?
Okulungisiwe ngu Helpless_Quest
Hi
I should be able to help you with this.
- Open the Android Settings app
- Select Applications and find Firefox
- Select Permissions
On the screen that opens you will be able to manage the camera permissions in Firefox.
Seburo said
Hi I should be able to help you with this.On the screen that opens you will be able to manage the camera permissions in Firefox.
- Open the Android Settings app
- Select Applications and find Firefox
- Select Permissions
Thank you for your post Seburo!
Is there anything else I can do before I install Firefox for my Android phone just so that it doesn't have access to my personal files like my camera photos/Notes?
Okulungisiwe ngu Helpless_Quest
No, I would just follow those steps and you should be fine.
Unless you do run an ancient version of Android you can change app permissions also at any time after installing an app.
christ1 said
Unless you do run an ancient version of Android you can change app permissions also at any time after installing an app.
Thank you for your post Christ1.
I am running an old version of Android...
How can I check if I'll be able to change app permissions after the install?
Could someone please help me?
I'd really appreciate any advice.
How can I check if I'll be able to change app permissions after the install?
It's in the Android settings. Look for 'Permission manager'. If it's not there, then you may not have it.
This has got nothing to do with Firefox for Android. If in doubt, you may ask in an Android forum.
Thank you for your post Christ1! I really appreciate you answering my question.
Is there anything I can do to make sure that Firefox for my Android phone will be safe and secure and maintain my privacy?
Get a new phone with the latest version of Android, from a vendor who provides Android updates on a regular basis.
Thank you for your post Christ!
With how the economy is at the moment I just can't afford to buy a new Android phone...
Am I safe to use Firefox on my old Android phone?
Okulungisiwe ngu Helpless_Quest
This is important:
The newest version of Chrome is no longer supported on my version of Android OS. However, the newest version of Firefox still is supported for my Android OS. Would I be safer to be using the newest version of Firefox instead of an old version of Chrome?
Thanks again!
What version of Android do you have installed on your device?
Seburo said
What version of Android do you have installed on your device?
Thank you for your post Seburo!
My Android version is 4.1.1
This has really gotten me worried: I've been searching the Google Play Store for Mozilla Firefox, but it's not appearing anywhere... What does this mean? :'( :'( :'(
EDIT: I'm really upset now because a few days ago Mozilla Firefox said it was "Compatible with your device" but now it's saying that it's incompatible with my device... Does this mean I can't use it??? :'(
Okulungisiwe ngu Helpless_Quest
Hi
Firefox for Android is not available for that version of Android. Please appreciate that even Googles own tools for building apps does not support that version now as it is over five years old - you will find that other apps will also not be getting security and stability updates.