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Last updated: April 29, 2026
Android 6.0+ introduced runtime permissions. Android 11+ added more restrictions. Mobile pentesters check permission patterns; defenders limit ask.
Android 6.0+ introduced runtime permissions. Android 11+ added more restrictions. Mobile pentesters check permission patterns; defenders limit ask.
The categories
- Normal — auto-granted (network, vibrate)
- Dangerous — runtime permission required (location, camera, contacts)
- Signature — only granted to apps signed with same cert as system
- Special — Settings opt-in (overlay, accessibility, device admin)
What pentesters look for
- Permissions requested but never used
- Background access to dangerous data
- Misuse of accessibility services for keyboard logging
- Requesting
WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGEwhen scoped storage works
Indian context
RBI 2022 advisory limits financial-app permissions: cannot request contacts, photos, SMS unless directly justified by feature. Many fintech apps non-compliant.
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