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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by grilled_chesse_eater@lemmy.world to c/privacyguides@lemmy.one

Meta/Facebook preinstalls an app called Meta Services (previously Facebook services) on a very large percentage of android devices (I've never used one without it) and while they claim it helps updates and synchronisation between different meta apps, it is very suspicious. Why preinstall it on devices of people who will potentialy never use a single meta app?

Go to your app list/app management and show system apps and find anything with the words "meta" or "Facebook" then turn off network access for those apps (if you can) and disable them. (eg. Meta app manager, Meta app installer).

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/meta-services-an-android-app-or-not/

https://fixyourandroid.com/about/facebook-app-manager/

https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS20FE/comments/ttmx4t/meta_services/

Edit: Looking around I have found several people complaining that this app is using their ram for 10 hours a day even though they don't use anything Meta. That's even more suspicious.

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[-] Agin@forum.basedcount.com 6 points 1 year ago

This is why it's so nice to use CalyxOS. All the functionality of an Android with none of the crap and minimal bloat.

[-] GreyFalcon@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

thanks for the heads up.

[-] DeaLikesTrains@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the info. Didn't notice that this shit installed itself on my phone.

[-] Entheon@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

I have had my current device since 2020 but somehow those were installed. Might've missed them. I don't use anything meta.

Thanks for pointing this out.

[-] LollerCorleone@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago

Does anyone have info on what it does that main Meta apps already can't?

[-] lemann@lemmy.one 4 points 1 year ago

Being preinstalled as a system app (even more permissions available, such as call recording on android 7+) and regular users not knowing Meta Services is still there after they delete other Meta apps like FB, whatsapp and instagram.

As for its capabilities specifically, I have no idea...

[-] Brisolo32@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Samsung M12, Not on it

[-] peanutyam@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the heads up!

Just disabled this and a few other "Meta services" apps for "app download" and all the other nonsense...

Unfortunately using a bloated S23 at the moment but toying with getting a P7 Pro 🤦🏼‍♀️

[-] DarkThoughts@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

(I’ve never used one without it)

I'm so glad I went with a Pixel 4a. Main factors were the smaller size, but I also chose it over the cheaper Samsung alternative because of the OS. Stock Android is just nice, because then you only have to worry about the Google bullshit and not also all the other bullshit on top of that.

[-] Vexz@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

Does this count only for NA or EU too? I can't believe it gets installed automatically without the user's consent.

[-] AutumnSpark1226@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I've seen it on several phones in the EU, but I don't know about NA.

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[-] archy@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Is that an RSS reader for Meta products?

[-] ICastFist@programming.dev 6 points 1 year ago

Yes, but you're the source of their feed

Samsung (in the UK) doesn't seem to have it.

Is this a US problem?

[-] nosurf@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I think its specific to devices. Ive never seen this before on samsungs in the us

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[-] BornVolcano@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Razer 2 and I don't have it

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this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2023
465 points (100.0% liked)

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