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Since installing the iOS 13 beta I've noticed a bunch of apps asking for bluetooth access. I haven't kept track of every one but I do remember YouTube and Netflix asking for it on their first launch. Thankfully, I haven't witnessed any app failing to work by denying the request though.

discuss

bengotow|6 years ago

The Bird (scooter) iPhone app asked me for Bluetooth. It said something about "nearby scooters" which I think is a flat out lie because you unlock them via QR code? Probably also tracking...

skellera|6 years ago

Well let’s be realistic, it said nearby scooters. Not “unlock scooters.”

There is the completely valid use case of a scooter that isn’t able to send it’s location to the app yet is close by to you. So it can be found with Bluetooth.

That isn’t to say that the app is isn’t tracking where you go, it doesn’t need the Bluetooth connection to its scooters because you need to turn GPS on to find the scooters.

wmurmann|6 years ago

I've built a scooter app. Bluetooth can help with a few things including closing rides when the user has bad cell coverage.

vytis|6 years ago

COUP scooters (popular in Germany and Spain) use Bluetooth for unlocking it before starting the drive. Not sure what is the reason for that vs. unlocking it through internet connection though.

rcruzeiro|6 years ago

Youtube and netflix likely do this to discover TVs that you can cast your video to

amaccuish|6 years ago

As far as I'm aware, AirPlay is handled at the OS level so the individual apps don't need permission for peer to peer AirPlay. And of course standard AirPlay is all mDNS for discovery.

For ChromecastI believe it's either SSDP or mDNS, and I don't think they have a P2P casting option IIRC.

space_drops|6 years ago

Then Apple needs to implement an API handler for casting video to TV, instead of letting the app handle it.

space_drops|6 years ago

The one that baffled me the most was the Citi Mobile banking app asking for Bluetooth. Like… what? What possible use is Bluetooth information to a banking app?

gruez|6 years ago

>Like… what? What possible use is Bluetooth information to a banking app?

"anti fraud"

space_drops|6 years ago

Continued: its a rhetorical question of course, there’s only one use and its user tracking.

floatingatoll|6 years ago

They’re all listed in Settings > Privacy > Bluetooth, unless uninstalled.