Android Permissions
When you install the Bank of Ireland Mobile Banking App on your Android phone, you’re shown a list of permissions that the app requests. The descriptions of these permissions are created by Google and are worded the same for every app — currently, there’s no way for Bank of Ireland to customize them. So, to make sure you understand what features we access and what data we actually collect, we’ve provided a more detailed breakdown and guide of the permissions below. Click on any of the permissions and you’ll be linked to Google’s official documentation for that permission.
Contacts
Why do we ask for this?
This permission allows us to provide an easier way for you to make a payment using the ‘Pay To Mobile’ and the View/Share BIC & IBAN features. Rather than having to enter the phone number you have the option to simply select one of your own contacts from your phone.
The mobile banking app will not access your contacts unless you select the address book icon.
Bank of Ireland will not capture your contacts or call logs.
Location
- access extra location provider commands
- approximate location (network-based)
- precise location (GPS- and network-based)
Why do we ask for this?
This allows us to provide you with the ‘ATM/Branch locator’ service showing you the nearest ATM or Branch based on your current Location.
This also allows us to send you location based push notifications.
The mobile banking app does not store your location to persistent memory on your phone, but it does use your location to pinpoint your location, but only when you select the ‘ATM/Branch locator’ service.
Photos/Media/Files
Why do we ask for this?
To visually show you where the nearest ATM or Branch is, based on your location, we have incorporated the Googles Maps display into the ‘ATM/Branch locator’ service.
Google require that the Google Maps library is able to save mapping details to your phone’s external storage, e.g. the SD cards. By saving map data locally, your phone doesn’t need to re-download the same map data every time you use the app.
The mapping libraries present themselves as a request for the permission “Photos/Media/Files”. In order for us to provide you with the Google Maps display we need to ask you for this permission.
The Mobile Banking App does not try to access any of your personal photos, files or media.
Be assured your privacy and security is of the utmost importance to Bank of Ireland.
Network
Why do we ask for this?
These permissions are required to access the internet, including communicating with Bank of Ireland’s servers, connecting with third-party services, and downloading map data.
In order to provide you with online banking we need to be able to send and receive information over a network connection.
Why do we ask for this?
This permission allows us to give better accuracy when you use the Google Maps for the ‘ATM/Branch locator’ service.
Bank of Ireland’s mapping libraries use this permission to see if a Wi-Fi connection is available. Determining whether Wi-Fi is available helps optimize the data used to display these maps.
Why do we ask for this?
This permission allows us to determine if the Mobile Banking application can connect to the Bank’s services as part of the initialization and loading of the Mobile Banking app.
This allows us to better manage the messaging we display to you, should there be an issue connecting.
Why do we ask for this?
This permission allows us to send you relevant information to your app, based on your proximity to a Bluetooth device called an iBeacon.
For example, Bank of Ireland uses iBeacons in some branches to trigger the sending of push messages to customers notifying them of relevant information.
Questions?
If you have any questions, you can write to us at mobilebanking@boi.com.
For more information about our privacy practices, take a look at our Privacy Policy.