Live data from Hacker News

U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

reuters.com

131–140 of 170 posts

Re: U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

#131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> App security is so bad that you pretty much need to virtualize the phone and feed it fake sensor data. Yeah, this is really bizarre to me. I was trying to check on volume levels through walls in my apartment, so I wanted to find some random decibel measuring app and lock it down so I don't have to worry too much about trusting it. But somehow Apple's permission model, which provides a whole pile of privilege switch…

This is one of my favorite things about Android. It's trivial to restrict access using AFWall+ . You can block all access, mobile data access, WiFi access, it any combination thereof on a per app basis. Highly recommend it.

Unfortunately requires root though, which means for the vast majority of Android users this is not an option.

Re: U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

#132
post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is one of my favorite things about Android. It's trivial to restrict access using AFWall+ . You can block all access, mobile data access, WiFi access, it any combination thereof on a per app basis. Highly recommend it.

Unfortunately requires root though, which means for the vast majority of Android users this is not an option.

Yes very true. I've been rooting for years so don't usually think about that, but yes you have to be rooted. It's sad that for proper security you have to root your device. I'd love if they built that firewall into Android.

Anticipating a question, the best phones IMHO for rooting are the OnePlus phones and Pixel. Motorola had been good in the past but you have to get a code to unlock the bootloader (which I don't like).

Re: U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

#134
post #100

After reading this post a couple weeks ago ( https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21725139 ), banning the app sounds like a good idea. I’m no expert on security, but the situation regarding Tik Tok’s practices sounds really bad.

As soon as I heard about it, I knew right away that they would have some shady practices around how they handle user data. You don't grow that quickly without not having robust data protection safeguards/policies, let alone being run by a company in a jurisdiction not known for their robust data protection laws (to put it nicely).

Re: U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

#135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> App security is so bad that you pretty much need to virtualize the phone and feed it fake sensor data. Yeah, this is really bizarre to me. I was trying to check on volume levels through walls in my apartment, so I wanted to find some random decibel measuring app and lock it down so I don't have to worry too much about trusting it. But somehow Apple's permission model, which provides a whole pile of privilege switch…

I’ve found blocking an iPhone on my WiFi AP effectively cuts it off from the net. It may have cell, but I think iOS prioritizes the WiFi connection because it’s live to the AP, even though all requests stop there.

Why not just turn off cellular data?

Re: U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

#136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think they all do now. You have to engage with people where the people are.

I think it was a Trump joke.

I know that was the intent, but the reality is that eschewing Twitter gains a politician nothing, and costs them an audience.

Re: U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

#137

Doesn't matter, they have it on their personal phone. App security is so bad that you pretty much need to virtualize the phone and feed it fake sensor data. The whole idea of unrestricted network access is stupid.

No way. Restricted access to networks is a step back to the Bell System days. Once you open the door, it won’t close.

This is a legal and compliance issue. If you made the marketplace share liability for fraudulent apps, and had meaningful law around the ownership of electronic data, this problem would go poof.

In the US, a piece of paper in a locked drawer requires a warrant to access. Electronic data requires as little as an administrative subpoena

Re: U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

#138
post #118

I'm surprised there's even a blacklist of apps for work phones. Shouldn't there be a whitelist instead?

That is how it actually works. There is an approved app App Store. You have to go through a whole process to get it approved (I've tried). What the article really means to say is it that it's been removed from among the approved apps.

Re: U.S. Navy bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

#140
post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

>China is ruled by a Communist party and they subscribe to communism That's just outright incorrect. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Socialist_market_economy#/Market...

State Capitalism where they can take part or most of your wealth away at any time may be much closer to State communism.
Post reply on HN