Is it Safe to Use Third Party Mobile Keyboard Apps...?

A virtual keyboard is an on-screen keyboard that can serve as a substitute or alternative to physical keyboards. It is commonly found on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Although virtual keyboards are also available on desktop platforms, they are not frequently used unless the users have some sort of disability. Regardless of whether you are using an Android or iOS device, it is essential to be aware of the virtual keyboard you are currently using.

Most of the time, you can use the default virtual keyboard provided by the mobile operating system. However, there are numerous alternatives available on the App Store or Play Store that can replace the current virtual keyboard that you use. Unfortunately, these keyboards often log your typed information to provide better word suggestions and other benefits. Thus, it's crucial to be aware that using these keyboards could pose a threat to your privacy.

Your Android keyboard is an important part of your smartphone experience. Whether you're browsing, chatting, or creating documents, your keyboard is an essential part of everything you do on your smartphone. As such, it is normal for Android users to attempt to customize it to their liking. However, Android's default keyboard lacks customization options. As a result, many Android users opt for third-party keyboards that offer the features they need. But is this a secure option?

What Makes Third-Party Android Keyboards a Security Risk?

If a PDF reader app requests access to your microphone or contacts, it would be cause for concern. It could either get flagged on the Play Store or cause users to become cautious about downloading it. However, the story is different when it comes to keyboard apps. Many third-party keyboard apps usually request a long list of permissions, from your camera and microphone to your device storage and network connections.

These permissions are mostly granted because these apps need them to function correctly. However, by granting these permissions, you could be putting yourself at risk without realizing it. For instance, when you grant the requested permissions to the popular Go Keyboard,

the app can read your contacts, take pictures and videos, read the contents of your phone storage, record audio with your microphone, and transmit data from your phone over the internet. It's not difficult to imagine what could go wrong with such intimate access to your data.

It's not just Go Keyboard; almost every popular keyboard app, including Kika Keyboard and Emoji Keyboard, typically has the same level of access on Android devices. Regrettably, some application developers occasionally abuse these entitlements. A 2017 report by security research firm AdGuard showed how Go Keyboard harvested the personal data of millions of users, sent the harvested data to remote servers, and allegedly shared it with third parties. In 2019,

Upstream, another security research firm, wrote about an Android keyboard called ai.type that was accused of stealing users' data and making unauthorized digital purchases using their banking information. The application was taken down from the Google Play Store. The fact that it could access everything you typed on your Android smartphone made it a significant threat to your privacy.

Here are 5 potential threats to your privacy when utilizing third-party virtual keyboards:

1.The app might have a hidden keylogger that can log your keystrokes.

2.The app might request full access to your phone system, including your camera and microphone, which can be a red flag for privacy.

3.The app might collect private data from your device since it has full permission for your phone system.

4.The app may be used to deploy adware or other malicious software on your device.

5.The app may sell or share your data with third parties without your knowledge or consent.

Therefore, it's advisable to stick with the default keyboard app that comes with your device or choose a trustworthy third-party keyboard app that doesn't request excessive permissions.