Bachelorarbeit Isha Grouven: Investigating App Camouflage As A Strategy To Counter Digital Surveillance For Activists

This thesis addresses the feature of „app camouflage,“ which is an approach to mitigate digital surveillance and censorship, particularly in contexts where individuals may be at risk of violence or other harm. The growing number of individuals with internet access and digital device ownership has resulted in an increase in device inspections, or „phone checks,“ as a method of enforcing censorship. This amplifies the need to enhance security measures to protect sensitive data. This research investigates the effectiveness of „app camouflage“ in which an application’s true functionality is disguised by an innocuous front, like a calculator application. By examining similar concepts, such as the Umbrella app’s „Enable Mask“ feature, the potential benefits and limitations of such approaches are assessed. 

Furthermore, this thesis examines the potential risks and limitations of app camouflage, particularly in the context of advanced inspection technologies. A prototype implementation for Android devices is proposed. In conclusion, while app camouflage provides an additional layer of security, especially in situations where the user is not in control of their device, it is not a foolproof solution. Lastly, this research offers insights into potential improvements to app camouflaging, to further protect activists, victims of domestic violence, and other vulnerable users from censorship, surveillance, and violence.

Betreuerin: Laura Guntrum, MA
Prüfer: Prof. Dr. Dr. Christian Reuter