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Android Permissions

The Android permissions system works on the principle of least privilege. This is where users accept permissions when installing a new app, and these permissions are said to be the minimum required for the application to function. Permissions include "read contacts", "send SMS" and many more. In reality applications are asking for more permissions than necessary. Research has shown that there are several factors which contribute to this, including a lack of documentation of API calls which require permissions and lack of understanding on behalf of both users and developers of the permissions model. My work explores this area and aims to establish usable ways of reducing the burden of comprehension on behalf of the users whilst taking their privacy preferences into account.