Why there's a package named Android AdServices installed out of the box?

Toaster

I went through the list of my apps to check permissions and found a suspicious app called "Android AdServices". I can't disable or uninstall it. It seems like its a part of google's new "privacy sandbox" that would show you ads. See https://source.android.com/docs/core/architecture/modular-system/adservices

Meierme

Toaster I don't have that on mine

mythodical

Android AdServices appears to be a core system app that is part of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).

It is generally discouraged to change permissions on system apps as it can break basic app functionality. I don't believe it's possible to remove system apps without rooting your phone (another discouraged practice).

Obviously you are welcome to do whatever you want with your phone, but know that doing so may leave you on your own for support.

On a personal note, a great deal of security expertise has clearly gone into the design and execution of GrapheneOS. While I don't blindly trust any 3rd party, I do trust that if a core AOSP system app has been included in this project, it is done so with consideration. The same goes for the default permissions.

Anonymous

Unacceptable responses to Toaster's concern. I have the same concern and would like an official response in regards to why, specifically, Android AdServices, or any such applications, would be included with this so-called privacy-centric OS? I am not satisfied with "trust me."

Anonymous

Additionally, how is it possible that over the course of 10 months, only two people have raised this concern and no one has offered neither an acceptable explanation, nor solution? Is this the wrong place to be posing such questions? I thought the whole reason for the development of GrapheneOS was to offer The People some level of protection from the gross invasion and exploitation of Our privacy and personal information? I have been under the assumption that the vast majority of individuals interested in this particular custom OS, have 'had it up to here' with the Orwellian world in which we now find ourselves? So, it seems reasonable to assume, that everyone who has perused the contents of this operating system, should take issue with even the appearance of the very spyware from which We are seeking liberation? That being said, I know what kind of a challenge it is to accomplish success in such an endeavor, so I am very grateful to the developers of GrapheneOS, clearly, a labor of Love. I look forward to an official explanation and solution. I assume the application can, at least, be removed/disabled via adb without causing problems with functionality?

GrapheneOS

@Anonymous

This is an open source component of the Android Open Source Project providing an implementation of alternatives to tracking users for targeted advertising. It isn't enabled by default, doesn't use any Google services and is not a privacy issue in any way.

GrapheneOS isn't going to enable these features since we don't have any reason to enable targeted advertising. However, the systems it provides are much better than the approaches preceding them based on identifiers. Google Play provides an optional advertising ID which can be regenerated or disabled but most other SDKs don't provide similar controls. If apps ever start requiring these features are available, we can just stub them out, but at the moment hardly anything is using them and nothing is depending on them being available. App developers may be experimenting with using these as an alternative to more invasive tracking approaches but they can't currently assume it's available / enabled.

Anonymous

GrapheneOS Thank you for the clear and concise explanation. Some people have brains like Spock and respond best to facts rather than opinion as answers to questions. It's not that I am opposed to opinion, I just really appreciate direct answers.

admin As stated, I am new here, hadn't seen the other thread, that specifically was in regards to someone else who apparently asked the question in an accusatory fashion ("Graphene Exposed"), and simply asked a question that was not answered, or at least not satisfactorily, if people are still asking it. I'm sorry you assumed I was assuming the worst and felt the need to be highly critical based on incorrect assumptions, I simply wanted to know why the program was there and if it could be deleted without causing functionality issues. I thought I was clear. I will chose my words more carefully next time, should I not be able to figure it out on my own... which I will try harder to do from here on out. Good afternoon!

admin

@Anonymous

It's unreasonable to expect the GrapheneOS project to post an official reply every time a question is asked again. It's a 10 month old thread asking a question that has already been answered by the project repeatedly.

Your approach to requesting help and information needs to be adjusted if you want to participate in our community. When you don't understand something, assuming the worst and being highly critical based on incorrect assumptions is not going to get you far. Please change your approach in future posts.

admin

We've removed the previous threads and some comments to make it easier for people to find the official response here without looking through as much speculation and incorrect info.

GrapheneOS

Anonymous Our project members don't have time available to answer everything ourselves so we depend on the community to provide answers referencing existing information we've published. It often doesn't happen. We could consider providing paid support options in the future since we're never going to have enough time to answer all the questions from a quickly growing userbase. We also don't have the resources to make detailed documentation on everything.

Anonymous

GrapheneOS I expected that was the case, therefore, I wasn't expecting an immediate response. You have exceeded my expectations, good human, and I appreciate your time and patience. I will not assume this to be the case every time I have a question as I would imagine you guys are still at the bottom of your ramp to critical mass. I would love to be of assistance in any way I can, but I am afraid I am under-qualified and have more questions than answers at this point. I am skilled at transcription and editing and enjoy technical writing should you decide to pursue detailed documentation. You're doing a great job! I hope you are also able to have some time to yourselves! Thanks, again, for all your dedication and tireless effort in this noble endeavor!