There is a button that “sells out” your privacy, facilitating the actions of malicious people: perhaps you have activated it, how to check.
In the digital age, protecting privacy on smartphones represents one of the most relevant challenges for users.
In addition to the known risks associated with GPS and cameras, there is a lesser-known but equally insidious setting, often activated by default, which can seriously compromise the security of personal data. Industry specialists have defined it as an “always on button” which, if not deactivated promptly, can expose you to serious privacy violations.
The hidden setting that puts user privacy at risk
The attention of cybersecurity experts has focused on Accessibility Authorization, a function present mainly on Android devices, but with similar tools also available on iOS. Originally conceived to assist people with visual impairments, facilitate voice control and improve screen reading, this functionality is now exploited by many applications for much broader and potentially dangerous purposes.
Thanks to this permission, an application can monitor everything that appears on the display in real time, record the opening of other apps, track touches and movements on the screen, recognize when sensitive codes are typed and even intercept the use of banking applications. The fact that this function remains active constantly in the background makes it a real “access point” for hackers and scammers, who can thus carry out espionage and identity theft operations.
The most serious problem is that most users activate this permission without fully understanding the consequences, often due to unclear and generic messages asking them to press the “Allow” button to proceed. Several apps, including those promising system optimizations, alternative launchers, energy saving services, usage tracking tools or smart notification software, require this permission to function, without users being aware of the potential risk.
This situation is fertile ground for malicious apps that take advantage of access to accessibility features to steal banking data, intercept transactions, show deceptive screens, perform unauthorized actions and overcome security mechanisms such as two-factor authentication. Precisely for this reason, Accessibility Authorization is closely linked to phenomena of mobile fraud, unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts and attacks involving SIM card swapping.
To protect your privacy, it is essential to check which applications have access to this function and immediately deactivate non-essential or suspicious ones. On Android devices, the procedure is carried out by accessing Settings > Privacy or Security > Accessibility: here you can view the list of authorized apps and revoke unnecessary permissions.
Even on the iPhone, although the operating system is notoriously more rigid and controlled, similar potential risks exist. To check the status of authorizations, you can consult the section Settings > Privacy & Security > App Monitoring > Screen Recording > Full keyboard access and take action accordingly to disable access to untrusted software.
Users are therefore invited to keep a close eye on these settings, periodically updating permissions and always favoring apps from reliable sources. Negligence and superficiality in the use of these functions can result in irreparable damage to your digital and financial security.
