Putting data transparency back in the hands of consumers with Galaxy’s latest security and privacy dashboard – Samsung Global Newsroom

In our increasingly connected world, data powers almost everything we do. It affects how we search, shop and appear online, and it even influences how our devices work. As people are increasingly aware of the need to protect their personal information, they are also realizing that it is a valuable asset that can be used to improve their online experiences. Recent search found that more than half (53%)¹ of global consumers believe that the exchange of data is important for the proper functioning of society. Almost as many (47%)¹ are happy to share data with companies in exchange for a clear benefit.

In line with this, Samsung Galaxy users can decide who sees their data and how it is used. As part of the latest One UI 5 update, the security and privacy dashboard on Galaxy devices has been upgraded to make data security even more manageable.

The security and personal information protection menus have been merged, giving users a view of information that may be at risk. In one convenient place, the dashboard can display the security status of security elements, allow users to quickly change settings, and help them manage risk more seamlessly. The things that can have the biggest impact on digital security — including lock screen, accounts, SmartThings search, app security and updates — are now instantly accessible at the top of the dashboard, and intuitive red, yellow or green alerts indicate issues at a glance and provide clear indicators of security issues. The upgraded hub includes instant action prompts, such as permissions, that make data decisions more transparent.



When it comes to protecting personal information, keeping tabs on app permissions is one of the easiest ways to ensure your data isn’t being shared unknowingly. Here are four important permissions that help users recover their shared data with just a few quick clicks on their Galaxy devices.

Easily manage ads

Online shopping is more popular than ever, and with so many platforms and apps, the ads and recommendations can quickly become overwhelming. For avid shoppers who prefer not to be inundated with targeted ads, they can go to the Security & Privacy dashboard, click on the Privacy tab, then go to the Ads menu and select “Remove AD ID”. This means users can avoid unwanted recommendations as they continue to shop and use their favorite apps.

Control microphone and camera permissions

Galaxy users can choose exactly how much of their data can be accessed by a specific app. Users may need different app permissions depending on the situation. Gamers, for example, often need to communicate with others while playing. However, if a user discovers that a gaming app can access their device’s microphone at any time, they can access the Privacy menu in the Security & Privacy Dashboard to adjust their preferences, including revoking access. to the microphone when an application is not in use or by choosing no access to the microphone. The same options are available for accessing the camera.

Easily manage location-based services

Location is one of the most important data points that users want control over, as more and more apps use location-based services. While countless apps continue to keep tabs on users’ location, the Privacy menu in the Security & Privacy Dashboard lets users see which apps have tracked their location in the last 24 hours. This gives them the option to quickly choose a new setting, such as sharing only when using an app for things like ride shares or not at all. By toggling the settings according to individual preferences, the user can disable precise location tracking, allowing only approximate tracking.

Keep your app preferences up to date

Many apps are downloaded for specific occasions and then left installed and unused for long periods of time. People often don’t realize that these apps can continue to track their data and activity months after they’ve been installed, whether they’re being used or not. To prevent apps from accessing more data than necessary, Galaxy devices will proactively protect user privacy by removing permissions from apps that have not been used for a while. If users want to revert permissions, the Security & Privacy Dashboard makes it easy to do so at any time.

To keep pace with the changing world as our lives become more data-centric, Samsung will continue to prioritize user security and privacy. Samsung will ensure that Galaxy users can manage their data according to their preferences, allowing them to easily navigate an increasingly data-driven world.

¹ Global Data & Marketing Alliance: “Global Data Privacy: What the Consumer Really Think” 2022