Company
Date Published
Author
Tom Karpiniec
Word count
1587
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Bluetooth and Peer-to-Peer Wi-Fi permissions on mobile devices have undergone significant changes over the years, as neither iOS nor Android initially implemented effective systems, leading to privacy risks and user confusion. Apple's approach, which began with iOS 5 and evolved through subsequent updates, eventually introduced automatic runtime permission prompts, enhancing user privacy and control. Similarly, Android's journey started with upfront permissions at installation and evolved to more specific and context-sensitive permissions by Android 12 and 13, addressing privacy concerns related to location data. Both platforms have moved towards a more nuanced system of permissions that align with specific actions rather than general data types, benefiting developers and users by improving privacy controls and reducing complexity. Despite the progress, there remains potential for further improvements, such as more granular control over app permissions for communication features, as users increasingly demand enhanced privacy from their devices.