Most people believe the moment of risk comes when an app is downloaded. In reality, the greater threat often appears a few seconds later, when a familiar screen pops up asking for permissions. These permissions usually include access to contacts, access to storage, access to the microphone, location, camera, data, and so on. The options are simple: Allow or Deny, often we tap Allow without a second thought.
That moment is where control quietly begins to shift. Permissions exist for a reason. A navigation app requires location access. A messaging app requires access to contacts. A camera application requires access to the camera. On the surface, these requests appear reasonable, even harmless. However, over time, many applications tend to request far more than they require, and most users rarely stop to question why.
Once permissions are granted, an app does not need to announce what it is doing in the background. It can secretly communicate with external servers, gather data, and monitor behavior. The phone continues to function normally, calls can still go through, and texts are received. Nothing appears to be broken. And this is exactly why it works well.
Modern smartphones are powerful computers. They carry our emails, banking apps, photos, documents, location history, and private messages. Granting rights is about more than just functionality; it is about gaining access to certain aspects of our lives. However, many people view permission requests as obstacles to be cleared rather than decisions that require attention.
This practice is common and one of the reasons is because of data cost, options are limited, and many apps are downloaded for convenience rather than trust. Some are not available in the official app stores while others offer premium features for free. When an app refuses to work until permissions are provided, most users grant permission just to move on. The logic is straightforward: “I need this app to work.”
What frequently goes overlooked is how permissions can be exploited. An app with storage access can scan files. Someone with network access can send data silently. An app with microphone access may be able to listen even when the application is not in use. Location access can disclose daily routines, home, workplaces, and habits. Individually, these permissions may appear harmless, but when combined, they provide a detailed picture of a user’s life.
Even more concerning, removing an app does not always remove the backdoor access it may have established on the device because it may have installed background components. Users assume that uninstalling apps indicates safety; however, this is not always true. The problem is not limited to malicious applications. Even legitimate applications may overreach. Some collect more data than necessary for the purpose of advertising, analytics, or improving the user experience. Others share data with third parties through obscure privacy policies that few people read. The result is the same; control gradually shifts away from the user.
Desktops and PCs face a similar issue. Users frequently install software outside officials stores. Cracked software, free tools, and unofficial software installed usually require full system privileges. Once given, they can edit files, disable protections, and install additional applications without warning. Just like on phones, the device keeps functioning, giving the impression that everything is fine.
Permission abuse is particularly concerning because it rarely appears to be an attack. There is no startling warning, no instant data exfiltration, and no indication of compromise. Instead, it acts silently and gradually, hidden behind convenience. When anything goes wrong, tracing it back to the permission granted months ago becomes almost impossible.
This is why modern digital security is not limited to strong passwords only, but include everyday security awareness. The question is no longer “Is this app safe to download?” but “Does this app need every permission it is asking for?” A calculator app does not need access to your stored contacts. A GPS app does not require media access or contact access. A software that does not serve a video conferencing purpose, yet requires access to a microphone or camera, is likely a spyware that engages in secret surveillance.
The responsibility for security is shared. Developers should stop building apps that require excessive access. Application platforms must impose greater regulations and application review before apps are approved for publishing. Regulators must take data access as serious as data theft. However, users play an important role as well. Permissions must be understood, not ignored and access should be limited.
Technology does not take control overnight. It happens gradually, through decisions made without second thought. Each “Allow” tap may seem little, yet when combined with other permissions, they shape how much control we have over our digital life.
Finally, permissions are more than just technical settings. These are agreements. And, like any agreement, they must be understood before being accepted.
. Adesola is a certified cybersecurity specialist dedicated to advancing security awareness and education across Africa, empowering organizations to stay resilience and defend against cyber threats. Email: [email protected]
