Your smartphone may contain your photos, contacts, personal messages, location details and banking apps. But have you ever checked what information the apps installed on your phone can access? An app may look useful and professional, yet request permissions that are not necessary for its main function. Before downloading a new app, it is important to check its permissions, developer details and security information..
5 Ways to Check Whether an App Is Safe
1. Check App Permissions
Before installing an app, think about whether the permissions it requests make sense. For example, a simple calculator generally does not need continuous access to your microphone, contacts or location..On Android, you can review app permissions through your phone's Settings. Depending on your device, look for Privacy, Permission Manager or Apps. Review access to your camera, microphone, contacts, location and photos, and remove permissions that are not necessary..
2. Use Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect is an Android security feature that checks apps for potentially harmful behaviour. It can scan apps from the Google Play Store and check apps installed from other sources..To run a scan, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture and select Play Protect, then choose the scan option if available. Keep app scanning enabled for an additional layer of protection..However, no security tool can guarantee that every app is completely safe..
3. Read the Reviews Carefully
Do not judge an app only by its star rating or download count. Read recent reviews and look for repeated complaints about unexpected charges, excessive advertisements, suspicious behaviour or difficulty deleting an account..Be cautious if reviews appear repetitive or unusually promotional. Reviews can help you make a decision, but they are not conclusive proof that an app is safe..
4. Check the Developer and Data Safety Details
Before downloading an app, check the developer's name, official website, contact details and update history where available. On Google Play, also review the Data safety section to understand what information the developer says the app collects or shares..Remember that this information is provided by the developer. It is useful for evaluating an app, but it is not an independent guarantee of its privacy practices..Avoid downloading apps through unfamiliar links sent by SMS, WhatsApp or social media, particularly if they promise easy money, urgent rewards or exclusive benefits..
5. Review the Apps Already Installed on Your Phone
You do not need to wait until you download a suspicious app to check your privacy..Android's Privacy Dashboard, where available, lets you review recent access to sensitive information such as your camera, microphone and location. Open your phone's Settings and search for Privacy Dashboard or Permission Manager..If an app has access to information it does not need, change its permissions. If you no longer use an app, consider uninstalling it..
What Should You Do If an App Looks Suspicious?
If you suspect an app is unsafe, stop using it and review its permissions. Uninstall it if appropriate, run a Google Play Protect scan and check your phone for any unfamiliar apps or settings.
.If you entered banking details, passwords or other sensitive information into a suspicious app, contact the relevant bank or service provider and change your credentials from a trusted device. If you notice unauthorised financial transactions in India, contact your bank immediately and report suspected cyber financial fraud through the official helpline 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal..
