[josephcsible]

Because if an APK doesn't declare that permission, then it still can't access the Internet.

[dotancohen]

But why make it a "permission" then, if it is automatically granted? It should just be part of the regular API.

[iggldiggl]

Probably some combination of inertia, future-proofing, and because it might facilitate some sort of internal bookkeeping inside the OS and/or the app store. After all there are quite a few more of those permissions around that have to be declared, but which are automatically granted and not specially surfaced within the UI.

[hulitu]

Why would an APK want to access the internet ? (why my Phone app needs internet access ?)