Information
Bluetooth scanning allows the device to find nearby Bluetooth devices and services, even when Bluetooth is turned off. This feature, part of location services, is mainly for improving location accuracy but carries significant security and privacy risks.
Rationale:
Bluetooth scanning can be used to track your location. By continuously collecting the MAC addresses of nearby Bluetooth devices, this data can be used to create a detailed record of your movements. Malicious actors could potentially use this information to monitor your routine and habits. Although newer Android versions use randomized MAC addresses to mitigate some of this risk, it is still a concern.
Impact:
Disabling Bluetooth scanning can impact the accuracy and speed of location-based services.
NOTE: Nessus has not performed this check. Please review the benchmark to ensure target compliance.
Solution
Follow the below steps to disable Wi-Fi assistant:
Open phone's Settings app.
Tap Location.
Tap Location services.
Tap Bluetooth scanning.
Toggle Bluetooth scanning to OFF position.
Default Value:
Unset, same as disabled