Privacy Score - Calculation logic
In App Lounge, the default /e/OS application repository, anyone can vet their favorite apps for privacy. Trackers embedded in apps and permissions are highlighted for all to see and make informed choices.
What are trackers and permissions?
Trackers are pieces of software embedded in apps meant to collect data about what you do with the app, where you use it or target you with customized ads.
Permissions are actions that can be performed by the app on the phone, for example accessing contacts and SMS or using certain features like the camera or the Internet.
To help everyone judge the safety of an application regarding data leakage and application access before installing it on their phone, each app in App Lounge gets a privacy score.
Scoring is based on 2 criteria:
- Trackers embedded in the application
- Permissions required by the application
The calculation algorithm
The score is a rating out of 10 combined with a colour code from red to green. The higher the numeric value, the safer the application is for the user. As mentioned above the amount of permissions and trackers found in an application combine to form the application’s privacy score:
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the number of trackers makes the main part of the scoring. It is based on reports computed by Exodus Privacy we access via an API.
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the number of permissions makes up the remaining part of the scoring. It is also based on reports computed by Exodus Privacy.
Value as derived from Trackers.
- 0 trackers : tracking score = 9
- 1 tracker : tracking score = 8
- 2 trackers : tracking score = 7
- 3 trackers : tracking score = 6
- 4 trackers : tracking score = 5
- 5 trackers : tracking score = 4
- 6 or more trackers : tracking score = 0
Value as derived from the Permissions
- 1 Point : one to five permissions
- 0 points : more than five permissions
The source code of the Privacy Score’s computing algorithm is available here. The logic for calculating the Privacy Score will be improved further based on feedback and after observing it in practice.
Privacy policy
Privacy policy of an app is a very important aspect to be aware of. Unfortunately, we can’t vet the privacy policies of all apps in existence, but we have taken the effort to shortlist a few apps with bad privacy policies (rated E by tosdr.org). These apps are given a score of 0 (zero), regardless of the number of embedded trackers or the permissions requested by the app.
The Privacy Score’s limits
The Privacy Score is an help provided to App Lounge’s users but it has its limits. For instance:
- If an application does not use any trackers but has other ways to collect its user’s data it can have a good even excellent Privacy Score whereas the user’s privacy is not observed.
- It cannot say if the permissions requested by the application are legitimate.
Feedback and Suggestions
We welcome suggestions and feedback to improve /e/OS Operating System. You can log improvement issues in GitLab or send your comments to helpdesk@murena.com.