Our permissions requirements have a lot to do with the Android OS.
F-Secure Mobile Security has recently requested additional device permissions, which has caused some confusion among users.
In order for many app features to function on your device, they need access to parts of the OS that are directly related to your personal data and system info. Android's OS is built to accommodate this. When users deny these permissions, many apps simply will not work as intended. F-Secure Mobile Security app is no exception. We need access to your audio setting to make your phone scream, keylock settings to remotely lock your phone (a F-Secure Mobile Security Premium feature), and GPS to locate your device when you request it.
Permissions
In-app purchases:
We need this permission so you can have the option to purchase a subscription within the app.
Device & app history:
For F-Secure Mobile Security to do its job right and potentially catch a thief in the act, we need to access your device activity and your running apps. We need these permissions to be able to alert you if your battery is running low, if your SIM card was removed, Airplane Mode was enabled, etc., and give you the location of your device in the event of a theft.
Identity:
F-Secure Mobile Security needs access to your account information for two reasons: 1. To make the sign-up process as smooth and easy as possible and 2. If your device is ever lost or stolen and you decide to remotely lock and wipe all of your data from your device, F-Secure Mobile Security can delete any important account information remotely.
Contacts/Calendar:
We need access to your contacts and calendar so that we can delete all of your contacts, appointments and reminders if you choose to remotely wipe your device.
Location:
When you ask F-Secure Mobile Security to locate your phone, we access both GPS and wireless networks to get the best possible location for your phone. Remember that F-Secure Mobile Security only accesses your location when you locate it from personal.f-secure.com, and we save it automatically if you have our Signal Flare and Theft Alerts features turned on.
Device Storage Photos/Media/Files:
We need permission to access your device’s internal and external storage so that we can scan your full device and SD card for malware and spyware that you may have downloaded. We also use this permission to erase your data if you choose to remote wipe the device with F-Secure Mobile Security
Camera/Microphone:
We ask to use the camera and microphone on your device so we can sound an alarm and use the camera flash to make it easier to find your device with Scream, and also to enable Theft Alerts to take a picture of anyone who tries to unlock your phone, removes your SIM card, enables Airplane Mode, turns your device off or disables F-Secure Mobile Security as a Device Administrator.
F-Secure Mobile Security Privacy and Security Principles are here.
F-Secure Mobile Security secures your device from malware and protects your personal data based on the permissions we employ.
Note: Many apps request to have access (permissions), but it doesn't necessarily mean that those apps are using the permissions for malicious purposes or to exploit you. F-Secure Mobile Security makes you aware of which apps can have what access, and then you can choose whether or not to keep them.