We live in an era whereby privacy concerns relating to apps are becoming rampant. This is so due to the access requests granted to these apps whether knowingly or unknowingly during installations.
Since some of these apps’ popularity is biased towards the android platform, the latest versions of the operating system allows disabling of these permission options after installations, while some earlier versions do not offer such convenience.
Below, we look at some of the mobile banking apps and their permissions requests.
1.ABC Bank (Kenya)
Permissions:
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: directly call phone numbers
Others: view network connections, full network access and read Google service configuration
2.Bank of Africa ( B-Mobile )
Permissions:
Identity: Find accounts on device
Photos/Media/Files: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage.
Contacts: find accounts on the device
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Camera: take pictures and videos
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Storage: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage.
Others:
-read Google service configuration,
-view network connections,
-use accounts on the device
-full network access
3.Bank of Baroda ( M-Connect Plus )
Permissions:
Device & app history: retrieve running apps
Identity: find accounts on the device
Contacts: find accounts on the device
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Microphone: record audio
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-view network connections
-control flashlight
-full network access
-draw over other apps
-control vibration
-prevent device from sleeping
4.Barclays Bank of Kenya ( Barclays Kenya )
Permissions:
Contacts: read contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: read phone status and identity
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-view network connections
-full network access
-prevent device from sleeping
-read Google service configuration
5.Commercial Bank of Africa ( CBA Mobile )
Permissions:
Identity: find accounts on the device
Contacts: find accounts on the device, read your contacts and modify your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-view network connections
-full network access
6.Cooperative Bank of Kenya ( MCoopCash )
Permissions
Contacts: read your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-view network connections
-full network access
7.Diamond Trust Bank ( DTB 24/7 )
Permissions
Contacts: read your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-view network connections
-full network access
-control vibration
-prevent device from sleeping
8.Dubai Islamic Bank ( DIB Mobile )
Permissions
Calendar: read calendar events plus confidential information and add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owners’ knowledge
Storage: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Microphone: record audio
Camera: take pictures and videos
Photos/Media/Files: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Location: precise location (GPS and network-based) and approximate location (network-based)
Other
-permission to install a location provider
-receive data from Internet
-read Google service configuration
-full network access
-change your audio settings
-control vibration
-view network connections
9.Ecobank Kenya ( Ecobank Mobile )
Permissions
Contacts: read your contacts
Location: precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-view network connections
-full network access
-control vibration
-prevent device from sleeping
10.Equity Bank ( Eazzy Banking )
Permissions
Contacts: read your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-view network connections
-full network access
-control vibration
-prevent device from sleeping
-install shortcuts
-read Google service configuration
11.Family Bank ( PesaPap )
Permissions
Contacts: read your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-modify secure system settings
-view network connections
-full network access
-modify system settings
12.Gulf African Bank ( GABPesa )
Permissions
Identity: find accounts on the device
Contacts: find accounts on the device, read your contacts and modify your contacts
Phone: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-full network access
13.Habib Bank AG Zurich ( HBZ )
Permissions
Other
-view network connections
-full network access
-prevent device from sleeping
14.Housing Finance Company of Kenya ( HF Whizz )
Permissions
Contacts: read your contacts
Photos/Media/Files: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Location: precise location (GPS and network-based) and approximate location (network-based)
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Storage: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Phone: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-full network access
-prevent device from sleeping
-read Google service configuration
-control vibration
-view network connections
15.I&M Bank ( I&M KE Retail )
Permissions
Identity: find accounts on the device
Contacts: find accounts on the device and read your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based), precise location (GPS and network-based) and access extra location provider commands
Phone: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-view network connections
-full network access
-use accounts on the device
-control vibration
-prevent device from sleeping
16.Kenya Commercial Bank ( KCB Mobi )
Permission
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Phone: read phone status and identity and directly call phone numbers
Storage: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Location: precise location (GPS and network-based) and approximate location (network-based)
Contacts: read your contacts
Other
-receive data from Internet
-read Google service configuration
-full network access
-prevent device from sleeping
-view network connections
-control vibration
17.Mayfair Bank ( MayPay )
Permissions
Photos/Media/Files: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Contacts: read your contacts
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Camera: take pictures and videos
Location: precise location (GPS and network-based) and approximate location (network-based)
Phone: read phone status and identity
Storage: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Other
-receive data from Internet
-read Google service configuration
-view network connections
-full network access
-prevent device from sleeping
18.National Bank of Kenya ( NatMobile )
Permissions
Photos/Media/Files: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Location: precise location (GPS and network-based) and approximate location (network-based)
Storage: modify or delete the contents of your USB storage and read the contents of your USB storage
Phone: read phone status and identity
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Contacts: read your contacts
Other
-receive data from Internet
-read Google service configuration
-full network access
-prevent device from sleeping
-view network connections
-control vibration
19.NIC Bank ( NIC Mobile Banking )
Permissions
Identity: find accounts on the device
Contacts: find accounts on the device and read your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-view network connections
-connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
-full network access
-run at startup
-control vibration
-prevent device from sleeping
20.Prime Bank ( PrimeMobi )
Permissions
Identity: add or remove accounts
Contacts: read your contacts and modify your contacts
Phone: read phone status and identity
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-view network connections
-create accounts and set passwords
-full network access
-read sync settings
-toggle sync on and off
21.SBM Bank Kenya Limited ( Mfukoni )
Permissions
Contacts: read your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-view network connections
-full network access
-close other apps
-prevent device from sleeping
-read Google service configuration
22.Sidian Bank ( Sidian Vibe )
Permissions
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-view network connections
-pair with Bluetooth devices
-access Bluetooth settings
-full network access
-read Google service configuration
23.Spire Bank ( SpireGo Mobile )
Permissions
Phone: read phone status and identity
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-view network connections
-full network access
24.Stanbic Bank Kenya ( Stanbic Bank Kenya )
Permissions
Camera: take pictures and videos
Contacts: read your contacts
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Location: precise location (GPS and network-based) and approximate location (network-based)
Other
-full license to interact across users
-read Google service configuration
-full network access
-run at startup
-control vibration
-view network connections
25.Standard Chartered Kenya ( SC Mobile Kenya )
Permissions
Identity: find accounts on the device and read your own contact card
Contacts: find accounts on the device and read your contacts
Location: approximate location (network-based) and precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-receive data from Internet
-Modify Google service configuration
-view network connections
-control flashlight
-full network access
-read terms you added to the dictionary
-use accounts on the device
-control vibration
-prevent device from sleeping
-add words to user-defined dictionary
-read Google service configuration
26.Trans National Bank Kenya ( TNB Mobile )
Permissions
Contacts: read your contacts
Location: precise location (GPS and network-based)
Phone: directly call phone numbers and read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Device ID & call information: read phone status and identity
Other
-view network connections
-full network access
-run at startup
27.Victoria Commercial Bank ( VCB )
Permissions
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage and modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Other
-view network connections
-full network access
-control vibration
