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Samsung Usage Data Access: What Each Control Actually Covers

Samsung usage data access can refer to app permissions, service diagnostics, Samsung Health data, or privacy requests. Each has a different control.
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“Usage data access” can mean four different things on a Samsung device: permissions granted to an app, information Samsung services collect, an app’s access to Samsung Health data, or a request to see or delete data Samsung holds. Each has a different control or process. Checking an app’s permissions is a useful first step, but it does not by itself turn off Samsung service diagnostics or make a data-rights request.

First, identify what kind of access you mean

If you mean… Look here What the route covers
An app accessing something on your phone Settings > Apps > select the app > Permissions Permissions granted to that individual app on the device.
Samsung collecting information about service use The Samsung privacy notice and applicable service or device choices Usage, log, diagnostic, and other categories described for Samsung services.
An app reading Samsung Health information The app’s Samsung Health data-permission request and Samsung Health settings Data access granted to an app using the Samsung Health Data SDK.
A copy or deletion of data held by Samsung The privacy process applicable to your country and the type of data Requests concerning data covered by the relevant privacy statement.

How to check an app’s permissions on a Galaxy device

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then select the app you want to review.
  3. Tap Permissions.
  4. Review the permissions and deny or change any access you do not want the app to have.

This is Samsung’s general support route. The available screens and settings can vary by carrier, device model, and software version, so labels may differ on your Galaxy phone or tablet. Samsung’s guidance is: “When in doubt, if an app seems fishy, don’t grant it access.” Samsung’s app-permissions guidance explains the route and notes that permissions can be changed later.

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What Samsung means by service usage and log information

Samsung’s general Privacy Policy describes “Usage and Log information” as diagnostic, technical, error, and usage information associated with Samsung services. Examples include when and how long a person uses Samsung services, services installed on devices, search terms entered in connection with a particular service, cookies, error reports, and dump logs.

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The policy describes other categories separately, including device, location, voice, and keyboard information. “Usage data” should not be treated as a complete inventory of all information a Samsung service or another app might access.

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What the US computing terms say about diagnostic collection

Samsung’s US Computing Terms and Conditions describe diagnostic and usage collection as opt-in in the context of those terms. If a user opts in, Samsung and its affiliates may collect and use diagnostic, technical, and usage-related information to provide and improve products and services and facilitate updates and support.

This is US terms language, not a universal statement about every Samsung service or country. Samsung’s regional privacy notices and available choices may differ. For the UK, Samsung publishes a UK Privacy notice; elsewhere, consult the notice that applies to your country, account, and service.

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How Samsung Health data access works

For apps using the Samsung Health Data SDK, access requires user consent. The app requests permission for specific data types and access types; for example, an app can receive heart-rate data only after the user grants the corresponding read permission. Samsung’s developer documentation says apps using the SDK are listed under Samsung Health settings and advises developers to let users change their data allowance in the app.

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These controls concern SDK-based access to Samsung Health data. They are distinct from the general app-permissions screen in device settings and from Samsung’s collection of service usage or diagnostic information. See Samsung’s Data permission documentation for the SDK’s consent model.

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How to request access to or deletion of data Samsung holds

A permission toggle on your phone controls an app’s access; it is not the same as asking Samsung for data it holds or requesting deletion. Use the Samsung privacy process for your country and the data category concerned.

Samsung’s US Consumer Health Data Privacy Statement, last updated July 1, 2025, describes access and deletion requests for consumer health data covered by that statement. It also describes withdrawing consent where consent was required and given. Its scope is limited to covered consumer health data and the applicable US context; it does not establish the same rights or process for all Samsung account or device data worldwide.

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Which control should you use?

  • Concerned about one app’s access to phone features or information? Review that app under Settings > Apps > app > Permissions.
  • Concerned about Samsung service diagnostics or usage information? Review the privacy notice and choices that apply to the specific service and your region; changing an app permission alone does not establish that service collection is disabled.
  • Concerned about an app reading Samsung Health information? Review the data-type permissions granted to that app through Samsung Health.
  • Want a copy or deletion of information held by Samsung? Follow the relevant country-specific privacy request process and check that the data type is within its scope.

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