Android 11 to clamp down on location permissions

Google today released a developer preview of Android 11, the next version of its mobile operating system, packing plenty of new privacy related features. While Android 11 is far from complete, the biggest immediate change is that you'll be able to further clamp down on third-party app permissions.

When an app attempts to access your location, microphone, or camera, Android 11 will give you the option to grant permission as a one-off. If you provide one-off access, you'll then need to grant permission again next time you open the app. In Android 10, your choices are to allow access while using to the app, or to deny it altogether. Apple added similar functionality for location data in iOS 13.

Other new functionality will include improved 5G support where devices are aware of how many bandwidth is available to them, enhanced security and biometrics, and greater ability for Google to distribute software updates via the Play Store rather than through operating system releases.

We're expecting to find out a full overview of what new features we can expect to find in Android 11 in May, as part of Google's developer conference, ahead of a full release somewhere in September.

Alex Choros

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Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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