Do not tap “accept all” just to use an app: for non-essential data, refusing must not cost you the service

When an app asks for your information, if it is not required to provide the service, the app cannot deny you access because you refuse. It may only collect what it actually needs. A map app needing your location is required; a flashlight app needing your contacts is not.

Cost

No cost. The hard part is not tapping “accept all.”

Benefit

The law states two rules. First, you may not refuse products or services on the grounds that the person does not consent or withdraws consent, except where processing that information is necessary to provide the service. Second, collection must be limited to the minimum needed for the purpose; only what is usable may be collected

Notes

The test is whether the information is necessary to provide this service. Location is necessary for a map; contacts are not for a flashlight. After installing an app, open app permissions in phone settings and turn off what is not necessary. When you truly need a permission, choose allow only this once.

Sources · 1

1. 全国人大常委会 (2021). 个人信息保护法. 中国人大网. npc.gov.cn/npc/c2/c30834/202108/t20210820_313…：第六条「收集个人信息，应当限于实现处理目的的最小范围，不得过度收集个人信息」；第十六条「个人信息处理者不得以个人不同意处理其个人信息或者撤回同意为由，拒绝提供产品或者服务；处理个人信息属于提供产品或者服务所必需的除外」；第十五条「基于个人同意处理个人信息的，个人有权撤回其同意。个人信息处理者应当提供便捷的撤回同意的方式」