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Everyone knows all the apps on your phone

(peabee.substack.com)
1192 points gniting | 2 comments | 29 Mar 25 21:26 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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zx8080 ◴[29 Mar 25 23:53 UTC] No.43519828[source]▶
> For extremely specific use cases such as file managers, browsers or antivirus apps, Google grants an exception by allowing QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES permission, which provides full visibility into installed apps.

Why would browser need to enumerate the installed apps?

Why?!

replies(6): >>43519852 #>>43519860 #>>43521776 #>>43522253 #>>43522261 #>>43522492 #
1. Kwpolska ◴[30 Mar 25 07:54 UTC] No.43522261[source]▶
Perhaps it's checking which apps can handle links?
replies(1): >>43523332 #
2. mightysashiman ◴[30 Mar 25 11:37 UTC] No.43523332[source]▶
That is managed by the system. Settings > Apps > Default apps > Opening links