this post was submitted on 21 Mar 2024
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I installed NetGuard about a month ago and blocked all internet to apps, unless they're on a whitelist. No notifications from this particular system app (that can't be disabled) until recently when it started making internet connection requests to google servers. Does anyone know when this became a thing?

Edit 2: I bought my Pixel 6 phone outright, directly from Google's Australian store. I have no creditors.

Were the courts not enough control for creditors? Since when are they allowed to lock you out of your purchased property without a court order?

I don't even live in the US, so what the actual fuck?

Edit 1: You can check it's installed (~~stock~~ Pixel 6 android 14) Settings > Apps > All Apps > three dot menu, Show system > search "DeviceLockController".

I highly recommend getting NetGuard, you can enable pro features via their website if you have the APK for as low as 0.10€, but donate more, because it's amazing. You can also purchase via Google Play store.

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[–] [email protected] 81 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (6 children)

I'm using a fresh install of GrapheneOS, and this is installed too. Not sure what that suggests, except that it's possibly some core system level app.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (4 children)

Oh jesus, that's crazy that it's on GrapheneOS too.

Edit: I'm on a no-longer-supported GrapheneOS install on a Pixel 3a. I've checked and it's not there for me. I also don't live in the US (like OP). I wonder when it would've been added?

[–] [email protected] 17 points 5 months ago (2 children)

There's little to no info out there, but I did see some suggestions on a forum, that it may also be installed when setting up a Work profile. I use Shelter to create said isolated Work profile. I wonder if that's a possibile explanation.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago

This may be the case, as I also have a work profile set up via Shelter.

Weird that it's installed in GrapheneOS also though.

In any case, even if setting up a work profile, it should just not be installed.

A potential backdoor as a ransomware exploit for anyone who has a work profile on their phone, I would guess. Unless there are other apps bundled with android that also lock you out of your phone.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Seems unlikely if you outright own it, this is for bought on a plan type stuff, no ?

Edit: On further reading, apparently not. WTAF?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

According to people from GrapheneOS these are two different things:

To be clear, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.devicelock is not what's included in GrapheneOS. There seems to be some confusion about that. This is the app that does what's being described.

What you see in GrapheneOS is https://android.googlesource.com/platform/packages/modules/DeviceLock/+/b1a971a6e29f5b426b13d96d7692e9dd5a7e81e2/DeviceLockController/

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/11639-device-lock-controller/9

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Using Lineage and I dont have it. Sucks for people using Google crap

[–] [email protected] 12 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Out of curiosity, you're specifically checking in the system apps?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Thats interesting, I am using lineage as well (oneplus 6t) and do have the app com.android.devicelockcontroller. This could be some junk added when I enable the gapps magisk module which I generaly keep dissabled though.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Yeah dont use gapps.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I've installed graphene on my phone a while ago (bought from a carrier in germany) and this app does not exist.

edit: nevermind, it's there

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

That's deeply disturbing, what else could be hiding next to it? I sort of hope it's somehow being installed by your phone company, as bad as that is, the alternative is worse!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I mean, I bought my Pixel 7a unlocked and paid in full, from Google. And my assumption has always been that when GrapheneOS is flashed, any previous stock bloat is wiped.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

Righteous assumption. That it is not, requires investigation. That's some serious BS.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I also have it on the latest version of GrapheneOS