The developers of AppApp have come up with this solution: 

It is based on a simple color circle rating system that is subjectively assigned to each permission, depending on how potentially invasive that permission may be:

 

 

        No access required.

 

 

        Minimal to Moderate access. 

        Simple access or monitoring only.

 

 

        Moderate to High access.

        Can actively change settings.

        Performs reporting, sending or receiving activities.

 

Each permission is classified to be in one of the four category designations (P, L, N or S):

 

[P]ersonal:

 Utilizes Contacts, Accounts, History Logs

 

[L]ocation:

 Utilizes Location services

 

[N]etwork:

 Utilizes Communication methods such as Wi-Fi, Cellular or Near Field

 

[S]ystem:

 Requests access to System Files and Logs, or Device Settings

 

A four circle color code is shown for each App under the app's icon, representing the categories in this order:

 

 

 

 

That is..

First circle is the rating for        [P]ersonal Information

Second circle is the rating for  [L]ocation Services

Third is the rating for                 [N]etwork Access

Fourth is the rating for the        [S]ystem Access

 

For example, a set of circles showing:

 

 

 

represents an app with low Personal and System information gathering invasiveness, but with medium Network and high Location invasiveness.

 

 

Some permissions are shown with a [NA] designation. These are nonlocal Android permissions that typically originate from an external, propriety source that uses specialized permissions that the app requires from a provider. These are not rated.

 

 

 

SERVICES

Applications that use at least one Service will have a single BLUE Triangle at the end of the Permission Indicator circles.

 

Services are background tasks, written by the developer of the app, that the app relies on to perform desired functions.  Services can vary greatly in the tasks they perform.  Examples of service tasks are the periodic checking of a network server, notifying the user of a desired outcome or assisting the restart of an app without requiring your input. Services may run indefinitely while others run only momentarily, and can only perform tasks that are within the range of requested Permissions of the app. 

 

Typically developers do not list the reasons of a service that makes up their application since they are simply needed for the required functionality.  Still, it is useful for the user of an app to be aware that the app requires one or more services when interpreting the invasiveness of an application, for which the color coded Rating Indicator is intended as a quick reference.

 

 

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We present this subjective rating system only as a means to quickly ascertain a basic indication of what type of permissions an app is requesting.  

 

When interpreting the ratings please realize that most apps require some permissions and possibly services to be functional. Very rarely will an application have all minimal ratings. Most will have at least a single category with a high rating to be functional as needed, and does not indicate any particular risk.

 

 

It is up to you to determine whether or not a permission, service, or combination of any, is an over-reach of the functionality of the application. It is intended by the developers of AppApp that AppApp may assist you in that determination.

 

 

Inquiries pertaining to the permissions or services that a developer requires for a particular application should be directed to that specific developer.

 

Most of the latest list of permissions used by the Android operating system can be found here:

 

 

http://developer.android.com/reference/android/Manifest.permission.html.