Blocking Google Links in Gabb 3rd Party Apps

BrandonT

Hi Gabb Tech Support,

My kids are very tech savvy and I am trying to eliminate any apps with embedded browsers and links. But sometimes one will slip through the cracks then I will investigate it.

When I investigated the Waze App I noticed that if I tap on the Privacy Policy Link:

It takes me to the Waze privacy Policy and a Google Account Log in:

I can log into my Google Account like anyone else:

And it will give me Access to web versions of my Google Account, Drive, Gmail and Full Search Capability:

I notice however that if I search up Youtube it will bring up the link.

But if I click on the Link on this page or any of the shortcut links/icons in any other app I will get the screen (see below)

The same applies to FaceBook, X(Twitter) and Instagram apps. Sometimes I can link to Pinterest through some icons in other apps.

Even certain websites will be blocked like this or won't even load. They all show the ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED

So some blocking is working.

(Please note that this screenshot is from a different app. In WAZE Youtube will simply not load up and leaves a white screen)

My main question is: since you have successfully blocked any and all hyperlinks/icon links to Youtube, X and FaceBook, would you be able to do the same with the Google login in the screenshots I posted above?

If not, is there a way to just block all Google searches?

There are some really good and useful 3rd party apps that you have but I'm having to keep them off of phones of certain kids who are good at finding back doors.

I'm not sure if blocking Google search links is as easy as blocking Youtube and social media. I'm also not sure if blocking this will interfere with certain app functions that are based on the Chrome mobile browser.

I love your phones. These are of great benefit to my kids and family.

Please let me know if there is anything you can do.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks,

Brandon

ReaganKowal

Hello @BrandonT,

Thank you for this post and for including the app and steps you followed. This perfectly helps us understand the situation so we can help resolve the issue. This has been escalated to our team so they can block the Google login access. We do not have a set date for when this will be blocked but know that the team will resolve this very soon!

Thank you again!

-Reagan

BrandonT

Glad to be able to help @ReaganKowal.

Here is the back door for GroupMe. You have to actually Sign in to get to this one and it's a bit harder to find:

After you are signed in you tap on the Profile icon at the bottom (BT)

Then tap on Help Center

Then tap on Third Party Services

Third Party Services takes you right to this screen. Then you scroll down and tap on Google Privacy Policy

Then it takes you to this Privacy and Terms Screen:

You don't even have to log in to this one You just tap on the Menu Icon

And you can go right to Google Search:

So Ideally if you can block the hyperlink to Google Privacy Policy that solves the problem for this an other apps.

There are other 3rd party apps where you can find this Google Privacy Policy link in the Privacy policy.

BrandonT

Hi @RegeanKowal, one more app for you then I'll leave you and your crew alone to get the work done.

In the FIIZ app (and this applies to some of the other restaurant apps) if you tap on Start New Order:

It goes to Select A Location. If you tap on the map icon in the upper right corner:

It brings you to a Google Map to find the restaurant location. If you tap on the "Google" word down at the bottom left of the map:

It brings you to this screen. And if you tap on the Account Icon at the top right:

It takes you to a Google Log in screen:

Once you log in you can go to the web versions of Gmail, Google Drive and Google Search.

YouTube is till blocked if you try to tap on the icon.

Some of the other restaurant apps have this Google Map ability.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

Brandon