Some custom ROMs like LineageOS allow you to change it without root access.
If you’re using LineageOS I don’t know what you could possibly have to gain in terms of privacy by changing the webview as the LineageOS webview should already be free of any telemetry so I really don’t understand whatever point you think you’re making.
Nonsense
What? You’re saying it’s impossible to change it without root, but it turns out you actually can - that’s the point. Even if you need root access, nobody’s saying you have to keep it enabled, you can just turn it off once you’ve made the changes.
Also, the problem with WebView isn’t just telemetry, it allows for user fingerprinting with 100% accuracy.
I’m hoping someone more knowledgeable can chime in, I’m out of my depth when we get into the dirt on mobile OS architecture. All I know webview is integrated into android far more deeply than any web engine is on most desktop OSs
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Actually, your point was that not changing the webview would be tantamount to shouting that you don’t care about your privacy, remember?
On systems where it is a privacy concern, it is not possible to change it without root. Obviously, if you use an OS where they built a feature that allows you to change it without root, go for it king, but that’s not what literally anyone in this thread was talking about including yourself until you got upset that I pointed out that rooting is required.
Almost certainly not true, but either way you understand the webview is there to be embedded in apps running on your device which have better ways of fingerprinting you than the webview right?
The way you phrased it is a bit wrong, it’s not “running” at one level above the kernel, but your main point that it’s a core system component is correct.
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Yes, and there are plenty of other ways to change the WebView without using root, or just do it with root and then disable it, what are you even talking about? What does my point of view have to do with it?
Because you said so?
The situation on Android is much worse than on PC, a lot more information is sent, including the device model. I don’t get what you’re trying to say, you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.
Is this ragebait attempt? You understand we’re talking about off-app tracking, right?