Why is My Android App Still Accessing the AD ID Despite Permissions?
Problem: You've carefully implemented permission checks in your Android app to request the com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID permission before accessing the advertising identifier. However, you're still encountering issues where the app seems to be getting the AD ID even when the permission is not granted.
Understanding the Problem:
This issue stems from a common misconception about how Google Play Services handles the advertising identifier. While the com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID permission exists, it's not directly used to determine if your app can access the AD ID. Instead, it's a flag used by Google Play Services to inform the user about potential data collection practices.
Delving into the Details:
Here's a breakdown of how it works:
- Permission Request: When your app needs the AD ID, you should still request the
com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_IDpermission. This will trigger a system dialog explaining to the user that your app may collect information for advertising purposes. - User Choice: The user can grant or deny the permission.
- Advertising ID Access: Whether the user grants permission or not, Google Play Services still allows your app to access the AD ID. However, if the user denied the permission, the AD ID will be a randomized value (typically a string of zeroes).
Example Scenario:
// Requesting the AD ID permission
if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, "com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID") != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{"com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID"}, MY_PERMISSIONS_REQUEST_AD_ID);
}
// Attempting to retrieve the AD ID
AdvertisingIdClient.getAdvertisingIdInfo(this).thenAccept(advertisingIdInfo -> {
String adId = advertisingIdInfo.getId();
// Use the adId for your purposes
});
Important Considerations:
- User Privacy: While Google Play Services allows access to the AD ID even with denied permission, it's essential to respect user privacy. If the user denies the permission, consider using alternative methods for advertising or analytics that do not rely on the AD ID.
- Transparency: Clearly inform users about your data collection practices and how they can control them.
- Best Practices: When requesting permissions, ensure you have a valid reason and clearly explain how the data will be used.
In Summary:
While requesting the com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID permission is important for user transparency, it doesn't directly control access to the advertising identifier. Google Play Services still provides access, but with a randomized value if the user denies permission. Always prioritize user privacy and ensure you have a legitimate reason for using the AD ID.
For further information and detailed guidance, refer to the official Google documentation:
