yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] maybeme2:
I think a lot of people are well aware of the loss of privacy and theft of personal data. But they fall into 2 groups:

Those who are aware but are confused about how to control it and those (mostly teenagers) who don't care.

I use a no-Gapps ROM, AFwall, xprivacylua, hosts file, and still - because I'm no android expert - am not sure my data is not leaking out somehow via browser, or who knows what method I am not aware of. Sometimes it feels easier to just give up...... ?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
I do not know one single person in real life who uses XprivacyLua or similar.

And even here on this site I do not have impression that interest in privacy is as big as I would expect.

I think we are a small minority.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
The big question is how to change this and keep projects like XPrivacyLua worthwhile.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
Actually I am happy that XprivacyLua exists. That is why it was very clear for me that I buy the companion app as well. As a support for the development and also because it makes sense.

You once wrote that Xprivacy had lots of users. I was surprised that Lua has much fewer users.

I really think that most phone users are not aware about the importance of privacy.

On the other side it is not ideal that Xprivacy Lua depends on Xposed development.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
Something like XPrivacyLua cannot be made without something like Xposed. So, it is not ideal that Xposed only receives minimal support.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
That is what I meant. For me was clear that I wanted to use XprivacyLua.

But I had to wait for some months to get a working Xposed.

But I can not estimate how many Xposed users also use XprivacyLua.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] maybeme2:
IMHO, what is needed is ease of use.

I think everyone today knows about the loss of privacy but few know what to do about it. Beyond nerds like us, just rooting a phone is very scary, leave alone understanding firewalls, permissions,etc. I've rooted several phones and still feel great anxiety during the process because things rarely go as they should - at least for me. And when things go wrong, despite the generous help available it still takes time and repeated effort.

This is also true for me even when switching ROMs. That's nothing for an expert, but it often takes me several days to get things working correctly. I know it should not, but it does.

Most end users are not on XDA. They access information on routine publications. Even when they discover XDA, there are so many forums and threads it is not always easy to know where to ask or even what to ask.

The answer is knowledge but the information is fragmented and most users just want to use their phones, not become programmers.

My 2 cents.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] beeshyams:
DELETED
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
See my response to the same comment.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] daniu:
Hi

Interesting discussion:

I also know quite some people who are aware that their privacy is being compromised and who would do something but more or less have given up already. That is also tried for business whereas I believe that the lack of data security nowadays does not so much involve business data as privacy data. However even there an idea of indifference (the Chinese copy anything anyways) starts growing.

I believe a real solution might be a good phone sold at a decent price with full privacy control and regular updates. No need to flash anything but just privacy protection right from the start.

I see 3 problems:

-the settings for xprivacy are pretty complex (for good reasons). I find myself sometimes indifferent because of lack of patience when setting up a new app. Even with xprivacy preinstalled xprivacy wants some work with every app

-the price and the features: which phone, which features ... I use an asus zenfone selfie atm which was about 200Eur. I think I would have paid an extra 100 for privacy preinstalled. Most people I know would want a fingerprint scanner, nfc and what not. They pay much more and would not be willing to pay even more. Getting all privacy interested people on one phone seems impossible. This reminds me of the fairphone: everybody thinks it's cool but I do not know a single person who has it.

-I believe that xprivacy and a privacy phone in general would be much harder to maintain if the user base was much bigger. In the beginning there were more or less no viruses for apple computers

Enough ... tltr anyways already
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] badabing2003:
I'm going to go on a tangent, which honestly I never thought about until this few last posts about how can we make XPrivacyLua more known to the average user.

I'm going to be selfish here and say, I'd keep it just the way it is.

Only handfuls of users who are savvy enough, and have the patience to go through the whole process using it.

Sorry Marcel I'm being the devil's advocate here.

If this was widely used, the privacy invading / tracking apps or companies would put effort to circumvent XPrivacyLua, and we already know that this is possible (example native apps), and then we'd back back to square one.

Let's keep the circle small, but heavily support M66B through donations so that this ride lasts as long as it possibly can.

My two cents.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
This is a way of looking at it. However, XPrivacy had a lot more users, about a million, and the only circumvention noted was that Facebook didn't allow big location changes anymore. There are not many donations, which is not a problem, but there can be too few users too to put effort into projects like this.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
And why did Xprivacy have a million users and XPL has only some thousands?

Ever asked yourself that question?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
Because it took a long time until Xposed was updated for recent Android versions and because people seem to care less about their privacy.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] betafeng:
Xprivacy lua cannot identify the app that controls the dual on in miui8

Xprivacy lua cannot identify the app that controls the dual on in miui8
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
The built-in restrictions hook into the standard Android telephony APIs. Apparently MIUI doesn't use the standard Android telephony APIs to handle multiple SIM slots.

I have no idea how to fix this because I don't own a device with MIUI. You could try to figure out which APIs MIUI uses a write a custom hook definitions for it.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] beeshyams:
[MENTION=2799345]M66B[/MENTION] [MENTION=5297163]Fif_[/MENTION]

Been reading recent posts with interest, esp. privacy Vs popularity angle

My 2C as a user with absolutely no clue of Android internals or programming (which makes me hesitant to try custom hooks) contributed by [MENTION=5297163]Fif_[/MENTION] and hopefully others in future

I would like to have a module approach for custom hooks - for example, I click on restrict analytics module on a separate tab (which spells out in bold all the caveats associated with custom hooks) and I am done. If any app misbehaved, I would like to again disable through module that entire module (like Magisk) or selective hooks. Proof of the hooks working would be seen in the logs

This functional module approach takes away the burden and makes it easier to experiment and probably encourage other custom hook writers to contribute as well. A separate wiki for custom hooks, as you suggested, would be a bonus

As somebody said, privacy requires efforts and it's too easy to give up at some stage

This is a user wishlist with no idea of the efforts involved or feasibility for that matter
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I will see if I can add a 'module' grouping/description field to the hook definitions, but this is not very high on my priority list. I like to see an Xposed update first to see if any further development is useful.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] beeshyams:
Thanks

Catch 22 situation given that Xposed updates are still in beta. One doesn't really know when it will get stable tag with known XPL issues fixed ( if).

It's your choice of course but I can only request you to move it up on the priority list so that one can experiment with custom hooks
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I think linking XPrivacyLua updates to Xposed updates is the sensible thing to do. If you want to have this more priority, you should ask rovo89 to move up updates on his priority list. Note that it is not that I don't want to update XPrivacyLua.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] beeshyams:
Agreed. Not saying you don't want to update
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I didn't read that, I just wanted to be clear about it.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] kaizokan:
https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=76913849&postcount=2

I noticed that Build.Model does not get a timestamp to shown it has been accessed. Maybe there is a reason for that but just wanted to let you know.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
That is correct because these are static field vakues, so it is impossible to know if these fields were accessed.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I have just released version 0.63.

This version will export and import custom hook definitions.

Please note that existing custom hook definitions will be replaced on import, but not erased on import, so:

definition exists and is imported: definition will be replaced

definition exists and is not imported: definition will be kept as-is and not erased

definition does not exist and is part of import: definition will be added
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] maybeme2:
Is there a source from which to import custom hook definitions?

That would be useful.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
There is a repository from which you can download from within the pro companion app. From the navigation menu select to manage definitions and tap the download icon in the action bar to see all uploaded definitions, which are visible here too:

https://lua.xprivacy.eu/repo/
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] OSheden:
I didn't find a way to import a backup for a specific app? Is it possible?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
There is no option to export/import a backup of one app.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] OSheden:
And I guess it's not planned, right?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I keep a list of things I could add and I have put this on that list, but this is not a promise it will be added.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] Droidphilev:
Hello Marcel,

It seems that XPLPro doesn't get updates built in anymore. I only get the Store telling me there's an update. Any idea please?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
Nothing has changed, so I have no idea. Did you maybe block internet access?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] Droidphilev:
Not at all. There's no way to force it to check, right? Is there a download link so that i can download manually?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
You can find the download link in the pro activation instructions. If you lost the instructions, please contact me.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] Droidphilev:
it's ok, thank you!
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] Kelvino9:
[MENTION=2799345]M66B[/MENTION]

I have the same issue with the updater.

I gave it three days before I manually updated XPL Pro.

I checked my firewall (AFWall+) settings and my current DNS server,

but I couldn't find anything suspicious that might cause this behaviour.

Can a XPL Pro update check be forced by restarting the phone and opening the companion app?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
You can force an update check in both ways.

I am currently not at home, but I will look into this later this weekend.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] Kelvino9:
No rush, please enjoy your weekend.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I could at least check if the server reports the correct latest version and it does. So, it is either a problem local to your device (internet connectivity) or with the pro companion app. The latter I will check later.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I have just tested if the update notification from version 0.62 to version 0.63 works and it does for me. I also checked the changes and there was recently nothing changed in the update checks.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I have just released version 0.64.

This version supports VirtualXposed.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I have just released version 0.65.

This version disables auto filling as introduced in Android O to prevent crashes due to a bug in Android 8.0, which Google is not going to fix.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I have just released version 0.67.

This version and the unannounced version before fix some minor bugs.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I have replaced Google's reCaptcha by Secureimage, so you can get the pro features now truly without any Google interaction.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
I never see new version. Only when I go to Google Playstore.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
A new version of what? XPrivacyLua? The pro companion app?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
Pro companion app. XPL I find in Xposed when there is an update.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I have recently checked if update checks still work and they do.

If you have the Play store version of the pro companion app installed, updated to this version or somehow set the install source to the Play store (some backup software like Titanium backup can do this), you'll only receive updates from the Play store. You can fix this by installing the non Play store version again using the link in the pro activation instructions.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
Ah. Ok. So only one update via playstore will change the update source? Did not expect that ... but thanks for explaining.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] maybeme2:
Is there a disadvantage in getting the updates from the playstore?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] bluegrass55:
Custom Hook Bcakup/Restore.

Thanks for these recent updates. Had to re install a few ROMs recently and the this new feature saved a lot of time.

The app update notification/download/install went smoothly except for the last 2. Luckily had your email download link.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
Please see a few comments back for explanations.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] bluegrass55:
I did do that. v.62 to v.63 got update notification from the app.....

From v.63 on wards nothing. Even with phone reboot and app launch. Network/Wifi data on and working.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
Did you set the Play store to auto update?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] bluegrass55:
Not using Playstore. On MicroG setup that does not use any Google stuff.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
The update check works, I have recently checked.

Possible problems:

The pro companion app has no access to the internet

Scheduled timers don't occur for some reason

The installer package name of the pro companion app has been changed somehow
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] bluegrass55:
I think in my case it was the device, as my trusty N5 just got the notification and went straight from v.62 to v.67.

Although both devices are running with exact same microG & apps the Nexus had no issues.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] BillTheCat:
Marcel, I'm also having some trouble with registering the pro version. I installed the master from Xposed via downloads, and donated yesterday. Followed the link in the email, installed the Pro app, but it doesn't seem to be recognizing the registration.

I'm sure it's something I've done wrong, I just can't figure it out.

Running Lineage Os 15.1 on a TabS2 T813.

Thanks!
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
Please contact me for support by replying to the activation instructions.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] maqo314:
I've got a few questions regarding "Manage hook definitions".

1. As far as I understood white hooks are active and greyed are not (checkbox "enabled"). Bold ones are either changed or custom ones/ downloaded from the database. When I view a builtin hook's details without changing anything it still goes bold and I have to delete (better call it "restore" in the UI?) it to restore the default view (only when I click on "ok" and not when I go back). I would consider that a nuisance/ bug.

2. How do I manage individual hooks per app? I tried disabling the very first (builtin) hook "Account.createFromParcel" under Global and then swiped left to get to the per App view and it was also disabled. Then I deleted (see above) the very same hook to revert back to normal and it was also normal back in the Global view - same behaviour for custom hooks from database.

3. According to "(1) How can I clear all data?" from the FAQ I assume I can restore "Manage hook definitions" back to default by reinstalling the XPrivacyLua Pro app. Is there a upper limit of how often I can reactivate the Pro app per week? Anyway I found this "If you installed the XPrivacyLua Pro companion app from the Play store, you'll need to uninstall it first (no data will get lost)." - this contradicts my assumption on how to restore XPrivacyLua Pro. How do I do this? It would be nice to have an option to restore default hooks in the UI without doing a backup after a clean installation and then using it at the right moment. This would require some foresight from new users.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
Nothing is perfect.

From the app settings wheel you can navigate to the app specific settings and manage individual hook assignments.

The pro companion app doesn't store any XPrivacyLua data, so you'll have to use the import/export to restore settings.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] maqo314:
1. Fair point for a one man project but it's always good to have as much information as possible about one's project.

2. Found it!

3. But once I started toying around with it I don't have a way to revert back to the start, do I?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
You can always clear all data as described in the FAQ and restore a previously made backup/export.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] bluegrass55:
App access to files.

I'm having an issue with the stock or any other music player locating the Playlist content. It finds the playlist names but their file contents are empty.In Lua the app has storage & application access permission. Even with all permissions allowed it still fails to find them.

Without Lua it finds them straight away.

If I remember correctly an error message pops up briefly about "libs". I deleted the BlockGurad OS. open V4 thinking it was that but no luck.

Do you have any idea what could be causing this issue?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
By default XPrivacyLua doesn't do anything. Did you check the global restriction log for things that are restricted and should not be restricted? Note that I support the built-in hook definitions only and that the storage restrictions don't fall into that category.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] bluegrass55:
Yes that is the first thing I do when an app misbehaves. Unfortunately there is no log for this or any of the other music players I've tried.

I know you don't support custom Hooks. Was just picking your brain in case you knew something.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] Namnodorel:
Small bug report: Sometimes, due to the keyboard I'm using or by accident, I'll add an additional space at the end of a field when defining a custom hook. In my case that lead to an additional Collection being created. I don't think a little trim() to get rid of whitespaces before and after user input would hurt anyone :)
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
The just released version 0.68 will trim all hook definition fields, except for the Lua script.

These days I can build a new release super fast with my new Acer Chromebox CXI3 (i5 model) ;)
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mastermind85:
I do miss the ability to generate the fake data in app :(. Where do you guys usually get your generated data from? Thanks!
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
Are you really using ChromeOS?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
Linux of course.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
And what linux? Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, ... so many possible.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I always use Debian because that is what I am used to.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] Loader009:
Does it really matter?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] mark_at:
It was a question of interest, not a question of matter. Simple as that!
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
IMHO it does matter since XPrivacyLua is built with it.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] beeshyams:
Requesting help

On my WhatsApp I was using an Xposed module (Whatsapp extension by Suraj) which broke with the last update of WhatsApp and the module developer is inactive

Main purpose of the module ( for me) was to hide from others the double green tick indicating that I had read their messages.

I am wondering if I can use the pro version to replicate that. I suspect that it is not possible but asking just in case :confused:

Thanks for your time and suggestions

Edit: I am aware of another module that claims to do this (by Krowne) but hoping that this awesomely powerful module can do this
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
I don't see how this fits into the scope of a general (not for one app) privacy manager.
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] beeshyams:
You are right. It's OT in that sense and I didn't think of that. Sorry

Having said that hoping for a way out
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] ferivon:
Can anyone tell me where the JSON files for the hook definitions are saved?

I also wonder if it would be possible to have the Lua script in a separate file so that I can open it in a proper editor. (I find it very inconvenient to edit the script from Pro app directly.)

Are there any plans on making it easier to contribute to an existing hook definition? Maybe by using a git repository?
[Paid Software Announcement and Discussion] M66B:
The definitions are stored in the XPrivacyLua database, which you should not access directly. See this FAQ about where the database is stored:

https://github.com/M66B/XPrivacyLua/blob/master/FAQ.md#FAQ1

In the menu of the hook definition screen you'll find import/export and import/export script. The later one is there to be able to edit the script with the editor of your choice.

You'll have to ask an author of a hook definition to create a git repository for collaboration or to provide another way for collaboration.

If you are looking for collaboration on the built-in hooks, you'll find can find them here:

https://github.com/M66B/XPrivacyLua/tree/master/app/src/main/assets