by Alex Smith
The confidentiality of user data is a particularly sensitive subject in the current context, particularly following the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Today, it is never again essential to pay attention to the data collection and use permissions that users grant to mobile apps. We take stock of how app permissions work on Android and iOS.
Easy access and modification
What was once the main difference between iOS and Android when it comes to app permissions is now less and less visible. IOS devices were known to provide easy access to permission management settings. Go to Settings , then Privacy . 2 taps were enough to access an interface to manage everything, either by individual application or by general parameters.
The path was more difficult on Android, but it is less and less with the updates. From Android 6 (Marshmallow), it is also possible to access the permissions of your applications in just 3 taps: Settings => Applications => Application permissions . Android also offers the possibility of managing your application permissions one by one, or globally.
Interface
The Android interface, more polished, is still not as user friendly as on iOS, but has the merit of having replaced the too technical terms skyblogspace.com/why-progressive-web-apps-are-a-response-to-the-hyper-concentration-of-apps/ with which many users were not found. iOS, much more advanced in user interface even goes so far as to offer previews of the changes you plan to make.
Example with notifications:
push notifications
Functionality or protectionism
When launching an application or a specific feature during the execution of an application requiring a particular access, a pop-up requesting the authorization of this access is displayed, you then have the choice to grant or no this permission. In the case of a denial on Android, the pop-up will appear again each time you attempt to launch the application or feature requiring the authorization in question. However, you can check the “Do not ask again” box displayed on the popup. The system will then save your refusal, and you will have to go to the settings of the smartphone manually to grant the permission.
On iOS, your first denial of permission is saved automatically, and you won't be bothered unless you go and grant access yourself in the app's settings in Settings . Also, Apple recently declared that it rejected requests to put online on its application store asking for one or more accesses not directly linked to the operation of the application evanmurray.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/11373205/how-to-retain-users-of-your-mobile-application, or, failing that, to its improvement: “Data collected from apps may not be used or shared with third parties for purposes unrelated to improving the user experience or software / hardware performance connected to the app's functionality, or to serve advertising in compliance with the Apple Developer Program License Agreement . ”.
On this point, iOS wins when it comes to user protection, as repeated permission requests can easily be seen as spam or intrusion attempts. Android, by allowing the repetition of permission requests, favors the functional aspect, since it retains, as far as possible, the user from having to go to manually search the access parameters.
Conclusion
To sum up, the differences between iOS and Android are becoming increasingly narrow when it comes to the issue of app permissions. With the increasing importance users place on the issue of privacy, Apple and Google seem to be converging on a common approach, and this is evident in the latest versions of their operating system.
Easy access and modification
What was once the main difference between iOS and Android when it comes to app permissions is now less and less visible. IOS devices were known to provide easy access to permission management settings. Go to Settings , then Privacy . 2 taps were enough to access an interface to manage everything, either by individual application or by general parameters.
The path was more difficult on Android, but it is less and less with the updates. From Android 6 (Marshmallow), it is also possible to access the permissions of your applications in just 3 taps: Settings => Applications => Application permissions . Android also offers the possibility of managing your application permissions one by one, or globally.
Interface
The Android interface, more polished, is still not as user friendly as on iOS, but has the merit of having replaced the too technical terms skyblogspace.com/why-progressive-web-apps-are-a-response-to-the-hyper-concentration-of-apps/ with which many users were not found. iOS, much more advanced in user interface even goes so far as to offer previews of the changes you plan to make.
Example with notifications:
push notifications
Functionality or protectionism
When launching an application or a specific feature during the execution of an application requiring a particular access, a pop-up requesting the authorization of this access is displayed, you then have the choice to grant or no this permission. In the case of a denial on Android, the pop-up will appear again each time you attempt to launch the application or feature requiring the authorization in question. However, you can check the “Do not ask again” box displayed on the popup. The system will then save your refusal, and you will have to go to the settings of the smartphone manually to grant the permission.
On iOS, your first denial of permission is saved automatically, and you won't be bothered unless you go and grant access yourself in the app's settings in Settings . Also, Apple recently declared that it rejected requests to put online on its application store asking for one or more accesses not directly linked to the operation of the application evanmurray.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/11373205/how-to-retain-users-of-your-mobile-application, or, failing that, to its improvement: “Data collected from apps may not be used or shared with third parties for purposes unrelated to improving the user experience or software / hardware performance connected to the app's functionality, or to serve advertising in compliance with the Apple Developer Program License Agreement . ”.
On this point, iOS wins when it comes to user protection, as repeated permission requests can easily be seen as spam or intrusion attempts. Android, by allowing the repetition of permission requests, favors the functional aspect, since it retains, as far as possible, the user from having to go to manually search the access parameters.
Conclusion
To sum up, the differences between iOS and Android are becoming increasingly narrow when it comes to the issue of app permissions. With the increasing importance users place on the issue of privacy, Apple and Google seem to be converging on a common approach, and this is evident in the latest versions of their operating system.
