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] 6 points 1 year 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] 1 points 1 year 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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

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/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Outlook does the same thing with Exchange services. It would kill my battery in a matter of hours

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 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] 0 points 1 year 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] 1 points 1 year ago

Unless you don't consider google software bloat.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

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