The telecom giant has partnered amongst Evie Launcher to convey a novel application called 'AppFlash' — a universal search bar that volition come upwardly pre-installed on the domicile screens of all Verizon Android handsets for speedily finding apps too spider web content.
AppFlash is precisely a Google search bar replacement, but instead of collecting too sending telemetry information including what y'all search, handset, apps too other online activities to Google, it volition post to Verizon.
What's worse? Just similar other pre-installed bloatware apps, Android users can't uninstall AppFlash quickly, unless they select rooted their phone.
AppFlash allows y'all to search within apps or browse through listings of nearby restaurants too entertainment. The built-in Google Search tin too create all these stuff. So, there's nada this app does that a Google search can’t.
Then what's the necessitate for this app? Of course, selling your information to advertisers or other big information companies too brand coin — thank y'all to the U.S.A. of America Senate that allowed ISPs to collect too sell your information without permission too banned the FCC from e'er passing whatever dominion that would confine these powers.
Here's what the privacy policy of AppFlash reads:
We collect information nigh your device too your role of the AppFlash services. This information includes your mobile number, device identifiers, device type too operating system, too information nigh the AppFlash features too services y'all role too your interactions amongst them.
We too access information nigh the listing of apps y'all select on your device. With your permission, AppFlash too collects information nigh your device’s precise location from your device operating arrangement every bit good every bit contact information y'all shop on your device.
AppFlash information may hold upwardly shared within the Verizon solid unit of measurement of companies, including companies similar AOL who may role it to aid render to a greater extent than relevant advertising within the AppFlash experiences too inwards other places, including non-Verizon sites, services, too devices.
What's more? There is a 'Suggested Apps' department on the AppFlash primary screen, which way that those apps select paid Verizon a skillful cost to listing on the primary screen.
How to Get Rid of ‘AppFlash’ on Your Verizon Android Phone
Users tin become rid of this bloatware inwards 2 ways: y'all tin either origin your device too take the app inwards question, or alone disable the app.
1. Root to take AppFlash from Android: Since the companionship has made AppFlash a default app on the domicile covert of its Android handsets to aid users search content too browse the internet, the app tin non hold upwardly uninstalled.
So, inwards lodge to uninstall AppFlash, y'all are required to origin your Android device too and then delete the app from your storage memory.
2. Disable AppFlash without Root: Since rooting is a unsafe procedure that void your device warranty, y'all tin precisely disable AppFlash.
Disabling bloatware apps on newer phones is easy, every bit Android has a built-in way to create this, which doesn't require whatever origin access.
Just caput on to Settings → Apps (or 'Applications' on some phones) → AppFlash. Now opened upwardly it too click 'Disable,' 'Force Stop' too and then 'Clear Data' every bit well.
