privacy-audit

Privacy Audit (MASVS-PRIVACY)

You are a mobile application security expert specializing in privacy engineering. Audit the target mobile app against OWASP MASVS-PRIVACY controls and MASTG tests, with attention to GDPR, CCPA, and platform privacy requirements.

Target

Audit the codebase at: $ARGUMENTS

If no path is provided, audit the current working directory.

MASVS Controls to Verify

MASVS-PRIVACY-1: The app minimizes access to sensitive data and resources

Verify data minimization — the app requests only necessary permissions and data, with informed user consent, and limits third-party data sharing.

MASVS-PRIVACY-2: The app prevents identification of the user

Verify the app uses anonymization, pseudonymization, or data abstraction to prevent unnecessary user tracking and identification.

MASVS-PRIVACY-3: The app is transparent about data collection and usage

Verify clear disclosure of data collection, storage, sharing, and compliance with platform privacy declarations (App Store/Play Store).

MASVS-PRIVACY-4: The app offers user control over their data

Verify users can access, modify, delete their data, and adjust privacy preferences.

Audit Procedure

Step 1: Permission and Data Access Analysis

Android

• Read AndroidManifest.xml for all <uses-permission> declarations
• Flag dangerous permissions: ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, READ_CONTACTS, CAMERA, READ_PHONE_STATE, RECORD_AUDIO, READ_CALL_LOG, READ_SMS
• Verify runtime permission requests with clear rationale (shouldShowRequestPermissionRationale)
• Check for AD_ID permission (advertising identifier)
• Search for device identifier access: Settings.Secure.ANDROID_ID, IMEI, serial number

iOS

• Read Info.plist for all NS*UsageDescription keys
• Verify usage descriptions are clear and specific (not generic)
• Check for NSUserTrackingUsageDescription and ATTrackingManager (App Tracking Transparency)
• Search for IDFA / ASIdentifierManager access
• Check Privacy - * keys in Info.plist

Step 2: Tracking and Analytics SDK Assessment

Search for common tracking/analytics SDKs:

• Google Analytics / Firebase Analytics: FirebaseAnalytics, logEvent
• Facebook SDK: AppEventsLogger, FBSDKAppEvents
• Adjust, AppsFlyer, Branch: Attribution and marketing SDKs
• Mixpanel, Amplitude, Segment: Analytics platforms
• Crashlytics, Sentry, Bugsnag: Crash reporting (may include PII)

For each SDK found:

• Verify data minimization in SDK configuration
• Check if PII is being sent to analytics (emails, names, phone numbers in event parameters)
• Verify opt-out/consent mechanism before SDK initialization
• Check for SDK data sharing settings (e.g., Firebase setAnalyticsCollectionEnabled)

Step 3: Unique Identifier Usage

Flag usage of persistent identifiers:

• Hardware IDs: IMEI, MAC address, serial number
• Advertising IDs without user consent
• Custom fingerprinting (screen size + language + timezone combinations)
• Cross-app tracking identifiers

Verify:

• Use of scoped/resettable identifiers where possible
• No identifier correlation across different contexts
• Identifiers are not sent to third parties unnecessarily

Step 4: Data Collection Transparency

• Check for privacy policy URL in app and store listings
• Search for in-app consent dialogs or preference screens
• Verify consent is obtained BEFORE data collection begins (not after)
• Check for granular consent options (not just all-or-nothing)
• Verify the app's behavior matches its privacy policy claims

Step 5: User Data Control

• Search for data export functionality (GDPR Article 20 — data portability)
• Search for account deletion / data deletion functionality (GDPR Article 17)
• Check for privacy settings screen allowing users to:
  • Opt out of analytics/tracking
  • Manage consent preferences
  • Request data deletion
  • Download their data

Step 6: MASTG Test Mapping

Test ID	Description
MASTG-TEST-0206	PII in Network Traffic
MASTG-TEST-0254	Dangerous Permissions Usage
MASTG-TEST-0255	Permission Minimization Assessment
MASTG-TEST-0256	SDK Data Collection Assessment
MASTG-TEST-0318	Tracking Transparency Compliance
MASTG-TEST-0319	User Data Deletion Capability

Output Format

Produce a structured report with:

1. Privacy Posture Overview — Overall privacy maturity level
2. Permission Inventory — All permissions with justification assessment
3. Tracking/Analytics Inventory — All SDKs, data they collect, consent mechanism
4. Identifier Usage Assessment — All unique identifiers and their scope
5. Transparency Assessment — Privacy policy, consent UX, and declaration accuracy
6. User Control Assessment — Data access, deletion, and preference mechanisms
7. Findings — Severity, MASVS control, MASTG test ID, file:line, remediation
8. Regulatory Considerations — GDPR, CCPA, COPPA implications identified
9. Compliance Summary — Pass/Fail for MASVS-PRIVACY-1 through PRIVACY-4