Google Pulls Access to "App Ops" Privacy Control Feature

Interface allowed users to disable access by apps to phone information

Praise for what some thought was a a new privacy feature in Android called the App Ops has turned to criticism after Google cut off access to the feature on devices running its latest version of its mobile operating system. 

The App Ops UI could be exposed by installing one of several third-party apps launcher apps, offering users granular control over which resources each app has access to. For example, it could revoke or grant an app the ability to read location data and contacts, send SMS or MMS, or post notifications — addressing the seemingly unnecessary permissions that apps demand before they can be installed.