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Android Q Will Kill Clipboard Manager Apps in the Name of Privacy (androidpolice.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

Bolstering privacy is one of the primary focuses for Google in Android Q, the latest version of its mobile operating system, and that may spell trouble for some of your favorite apps. From a report: In Android Q, Google has restricted access to clipboard data as previously rumored, which means most apps that currently aim to manage that data won't work anymore. Having an app that sits in the background and collects clipboard data can be a handy way to recall past snippets of data. However, that same mechanism could be used for malicious intent. Google's playing it safe by restricting access to clipboard data to input method editors (you might know those as keyboards). Foreground apps that have focus will also be able to access the clipboard, but background apps won't.

2 of 42 comments (clear)

  1. Pie Broke Keepass2 Keyboard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Pie update broke Keepass2 keyboard, so I have to use the clipboard. Not cool. Now Q will break that. Nothing like breaking the security of a password manager for security reasons.

    Hey, Google! How about asking THE USER for permission. "Background Clipboard Access?" Why would a have need that!?

    Google's permission controls were great, when they finally got enabled. But they didn't make them granular enough up front (why does an app need permission to "make & receive phone calls" just to get to the unique device ID!?). Then, with each new update, they make them more and more restrictive, without a USER workaround.

    Pretty much the new Android norm. Screw the user. We'll decide what you want, and you'll have no options. Thanks Apple...err Google.

  2. Re: If Google took Android security seriously by jrumney · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What they are currently missing is an "always ask" permission. You can either grant it permanently or deny it permanently (you can change the permissions deep within settings, but it isn't trivial to do, and there isn't an option to ask again). Even if the app doesn't make sense to use without a permission, I might still like to know when it is using the permission, especially if it is accessing my mic, camera or location.