Android Security

---
name: android-security
description: "Standards for Data Encryption, Network Security, and Permissions. Load whenever API keys, auth tokens, cleartext traffic, android:exported, EncryptedSharedPreferences, certificate pinning, or root detection come up — even if the user just asks 'is this secure'. (triggers: network_security_config.xml, AndroidManifest.xml, EncryptedSharedPreferences, cleartextTrafficPermitted, intent-filter, api key, token storage, certificate pinning, root detection, secure storage)"
---

# Android Security Standards

## **Priority: P0 (CRITICAL)**

## Implementation Guidelines

### Data Storage

- **Secrets**: NEVER store API keys in code. Use `EncryptedSharedPreferences` for sensitive local data (Tokens).
- **Keystore**: Use Android Keystore System for cryptographic keys.

### Network

- **HTTPS**: Enforce HTTPS via `network_security_config.xml` (`cleartextTrafficPermitted="false"`).
- **Pinning**: Consider Certificate Pinning for high-security apps.

### Component Export

- **Exported**: Explicitly set `android:exported="false"` for Activities/Receivers unless intended for external use.

## Anti-Patterns

- **No Sensitive Logs**: Strip logs in Release builds.
- **No Homebrew Root Detection**: Use Play Integrity API instead.
- **No Raw URL String Concatenation**: Use `Uri.Builder` or `HttpUrl` (OkHttp) to prevent parameter injection.

## References

- [Setup Examples](references/implementation.md)
- [common/common-security-standards] — shared OWASP baselines
- [android/android-legacy-security] — Intent, WebView, and FileProvider hardening