Meta Services, Sorry WHAT!?

If it can't be uninstalled, try using adb commands from a computer to remove it. I got rid of a bunch of preinstalled stuff on my phone that way.

Now on GrapheneOS on the Pixel 6a. One of the best decisions I made :)

Blame the phone manufacturer, they are the ones that took the bribe to put it there just like with every other bundled crapware.

It's not unlikely to be an NSA thing which allows them to access everthing. That sounds paranoid, but Snowden happened so we know they were doing stuff like this 10 years ago:

DROPOUTJEEP .... "A software implant for the Apple iPhone that utilizes modular mission applications to provide specific SIGINT functionality. This functionality includes the ability to remotely push/pull files from the device. SMS retrieval, contact list retrieval, voicemail, geolocation, hot mic, camera capture, cell tower location, etc. Command, control and data exfiltration can occur over SMS messaging or a GPRS data connection. All communications with the implant will be covert and encrypted."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANT_catalog

To be honest, I think we just have to accept privacy is dead. The only real choice that remains is whether to regularly teabag our phones on on the off chance someone's looking.

I have a Pixel 7 and it isn't installed.

I always, disable or remove anything to do with Facebook or Meta, & lots of other crap, as a first sweep of a new phone or installation..👍🏼

One more reason to use a custom ROM. Death to the bloat!

Thanks for the heads up, fuck this bloat/spyware shit.

Shit like this is why I use a DeGoogled phone. Get a Pixel and install GrapheneOS or CalyxOS and use open source apps wherever you can, and sandbox any Google Play apps you have to use (banking, etc).

One of the pros of using a Pixel! Absolutely no bloat on my previous 4a or my current 7 besides a T-Mobile app that was installed because of my SIM card. Uninstalled that and I was golden.

Fairphone 3, don't have it 👌

All the phones I've had come with bloatware like this, I currently have a Xiaomi phone and MIUI itself is bloatware, the ROM is full of ads. Thankfully there is an "adb" software for Xiaomi phones that allows you to disable or remove this pre-installed malware.

Of the cheap Samsung, LG and huawei phones that I've had they also come with random bs pre-installed that can't be uninstalled without the help of third party software.

Found on my OnePlus 8. Never buying OnePlus again.

This is why I avoid Samsung like the plague. Chinese brands atleast let you swap the stock ROM with whatever you like, with minimal effort.

I have a pixel, no Facebook apps installed

For those that aren't aware, Universal Android Debloater is a great tool to uninstall/disable bloatware.

It lists out all potential bloatware found on your device and you could disable them with a mouse click. I always use it to debloat my new devices.

consider grapheneos. i use it and its been great

Some phones used to come with Facebook pre-installed, it's probably from that. Don't get a Samsung lol

absolute bloatware, i just uninstalled this a few days ago

Thanks for sharing. Had no clue and just went and disabled all 3 of these apps of theirs

Why am I not surprised

used to have one on my phone, thank god I switched to a custom ROM, shit feels 1000% better than stock

Ugh, stuff like this is why I bought a pixel. I got an s23 for "free" from T-Mobile, and it was so infested with spyware and bloat that even android debloater couldn't get it all.

GrapheneOS has basically made it all worthwhile. I do with I could have multiple (more than 2) profiles though.

Not installed on Pixel 5a (with Facebook app) or 6a

Why can't I find any articles about decompiling and researching this one? :(

I find using a combination of AdAway and AFWall+ on android to be effective in blocking a lot of stuff. I run as root.

thanks for the heads up.

This is why it's so nice to use CalyxOS. All the functionality of an Android with none of the crap and minimal bloat.

Thanks for the info. Didn't notice that this shit installed itself on my phone.

Samsung M12, Not on it

I have had my current device since 2020 but somehow those were installed. Might've missed them. I don't use anything meta.

Thanks for pointing this out.

Does anyone have info on what it does that main Meta apps already can't?

(I’ve never used one without it)

I'm so glad I went with a Pixel 4a. Main factors were the smaller size, but I also chose it over the cheaper Samsung alternative because of the OS. Stock Android is just nice, because then you only have to worry about the Google bullshit and not also all the other bullshit on top of that.

Thanks for the heads up!

Just disabled this and a few other "Meta services" apps for "app download" and all the other nonsense...

Unfortunately using a bloated S23 at the moment but toying with getting a P7 Pro 🤦🏼‍♀️

Samsung (in the UK) doesn't seem to have it.

Is this a US problem?

Does this count only for NA or EU too? I can't believe it gets installed automatically without the user's consent.

Permanently Deleted

Is that an RSS reader for Meta products?

Razer 2 and I don't have it

I didnt find anything on my pixel 4a thankfully.

Outlook does the same thing with Exchange services. It would kill my battery in a matter of hours

Unacceptable