this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2023
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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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[–] [email protected] 91 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If it can't be uninstalled, try using adb commands from a computer to remove it. I got rid of a bunch of preinstalled stuff on my phone that way.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Can you possibly go more in depth or provide a source that goes more in depth on how to do this? Very interested in doing this

[–] ascallion 56 points 2 years ago (9 children)

Here you go. Hardest part is probably installing adb, there's a more detailed page linked to that in step 2.

https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/

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[–] [email protected] 44 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

Now on GrapheneOS on the Pixel 6a. One of the best decisions I made :)

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago
[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago (2 children)

What NFC payment options were available on there?

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Tape your bank card to the back of your phone

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Blame the phone manufacturer, they are the ones that took the bribe to put it there just like with every other bundled crapware.

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

It's not unlikely to be an NSA thing which allows them to access everthing. That sounds paranoid, but Snowden happened so we know they were doing stuff like this 10 years ago:

DROPOUTJEEP .... "A software implant for the Apple iPhone that utilizes modular mission applications to provide specific SIGINT functionality. This functionality includes the ability to remotely push/pull files from the device. SMS retrieval, contact list retrieval, voicemail, geolocation, hot mic, camera capture, cell tower location, etc. Command, control and data exfiltration can occur over SMS messaging or a GPRS data connection. All communications with the implant will be covert and encrypted."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANT_catalog

To be honest, I think we just have to accept privacy is dead. The only real choice that remains is whether to regularly teabag our phones on on the off chance someone's looking.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 years ago

No, we don't have to accept that privacy is dead. We need to learn to control the technology around us.

This podcast covers this topic in depth with a lot of practical instruction for what you can do to manage your privacy and security: The Privacy, Security, and OSINT Show

[–] [email protected] 31 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I have a Pixel 7 and it isn't installed.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 years ago

Pixels are the least bloated of Androids fortunately.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Of course not. Google is a competitor to Facebook.

But much of the long tail of Android phones bundle Facebook shovelware.

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[–] [email protected] 30 points 2 years ago

I always, disable or remove anything to do with Facebook or Meta, & lots of other crap, as a first sweep of a new phone or installation..👍🏼

[–] DishonestBirb 27 points 2 years ago (6 children)

Shit like this is why I use a DeGoogled phone. Get a Pixel and install GrapheneOS or CalyxOS and use open source apps wherever you can, and sandbox any Google Play apps you have to use (banking, etc).

[–] jungle 22 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Pixel phones don't have this app. It's not Google adding it to the OS.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 years ago

I don't think they were implying that it was. Pixel phones don't have this, but they have loads of other methods of stealing your data. Ungoogled ROMs are focused on complete privacy, not just from google.

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 2 years ago

Thanks for the heads up, fuck this bloat/spyware shit.

[–] pacjo 22 points 2 years ago

One more reason to use a custom ROM. Death to the bloat!

[–] oryx 20 points 2 years ago (1 children)

One of the pros of using a Pixel! Absolutely no bloat on my previous 4a or my current 7 besides a T-Mobile app that was installed because of my SIM card. Uninstalled that and I was golden.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 years ago (6 children)

Unless you don't consider google software bloat.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago

With pixel you can install grapheneos and have no bloat! (or optionally sandboxed bloat)

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Fairphone 3, don't have it 👌

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G on PixelOS, also don't have it.

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[–] LeHappStick 18 points 2 years ago (1 children)

All the phones I've had come with bloatware like this, I currently have a Xiaomi phone and MIUI itself is bloatware, the ROM is full of ads. Thankfully there is an "adb" software for Xiaomi phones that allows you to disable or remove this pre-installed malware.

Of the cheap Samsung, LG and huawei phones that I've had they also come with random bs pre-installed that can't be uninstalled without the help of third party software.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

adb stands for "Android Debug Bridge" and it's an Android tool, not specific to Xiaomi.

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[–] Zeth0s 17 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I have a pixel, no Facebook apps installed

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 years ago

This is why I avoid Samsung like the plague. Chinese brands atleast let you swap the stock ROM with whatever you like, with minimal effort.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago (3 children)

consider grapheneos. i use it and its been great

[–] solidgrue 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

Updoot from LineageOS land!

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago (2 children)

For those that aren't aware, Universal Android Debloater is a great tool to uninstall/disable bloatware.

It lists out all potential bloatware found on your device and you could disable them with a mouse click. I always use it to debloat my new devices.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Not installed on Pixel 5a (with Facebook app) or 6a

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Why am I not surprised

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Some phones used to come with Facebook pre-installed, it's probably from that. Don't get a Samsung lol

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

absolute bloatware, i just uninstalled this a few days ago

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing. Had no clue and just went and disabled all 3 of these apps of theirs

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Ugh, stuff like this is why I bought a pixel. I got an s23 for "free" from T-Mobile, and it was so infested with spyware and bloat that even android debloater couldn't get it all.

GrapheneOS has basically made it all worthwhile. I do with I could have multiple (more than 2) profiles though.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago

Why can't I find any articles about decompiling and researching this one? :(

[–] GreyFalcon 6 points 2 years ago

thanks for the heads up.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years 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.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

I find using a combination of AdAway and AFWall+ on android to be effective in blocking a lot of stuff. I run as root.

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