On a throwaway Samsung Galaxy with American ROM, I installed some Chinese apps. When I uninstall them, the browser opens with a specific “uninstall survey”. How that is possible? Are they exploiting some os weakness or it’s permitted by the apk uninstall API?

The bad actors are:

  • sogou keyboard
  • Tencent video
  • weibo
  • limerod@reddthat.comEnglish
    2·
    10 months ago

    What android version is that Samsung galaxy running? Does it happen in newer android versions like 12 and 13? The explanation and the stack link explain it for old devices. I’m not sure how it’s being done for newer smartphones, if at all.

    • Moonrise2473OPEnglish
      2·
      10 months ago

      no it’s like 8 years old, not recent

      plus those apps has been sideloaded from apk

      • limerod@reddthat.comEnglish
        2·
        10 months ago

        That explains it. Older android did not have the safeguards modern-day android does. Anyway, don’t sideload shady apps or use old smartphones that are not updated today. These webpage opening things used to happen in the old days, which was annoying.