In a recent update to the HSBC app they’ve added a screen to prevent you from using the app unless you use the default (google) keyboard.

They do a similar thing if you have an accessibility service running that can access the screens content. A fair enough security warning if you’ve happened to install a dodgy keyboard app, but highly frustrating when using an open source alternative that enhances the security and privacy over the default option (HeliBoard in my case).

I haven’t found a way to circumvent the page yet. It would be useful if Android allowed you to block the permission to query all packages, but alas.

  • xep
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    2125 days ago

    I understand the reason for this, but if this is what they’ve decided to do they should also provide a trusted HSBC keyboard that can only be used with their banking application.

    • andrew_bidlaw
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      25 days ago

      Can apps has their own keyboard and never call the system one? Installing their kb as another app and as a system one at that would be 200% more infuriating. Now THEY can log your keys elsewhere.

      • projectmoon
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        1525 days ago

        They can build a keyboard into it, sure. It’s just UI elements and a bunch of buttons. Won’t be a good keyboard, but it can be done.

      • @HereIAmOP
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        824 days ago

        It’s possible. First example I can think of is NYT’s games app uses their own keyboard. It’s clunky, but if someone is concerned (or data hungry) enough for the users security they certainly could.