[loudthing]

Apparently the one app requires permissions for "an overview of your exact location, the ability to make direct calls via your phone and the ability to disable your screen lock."

I've never heard of any app being able to make calls or disable the lock screen. Is that even possible? I suspect maybe on Android?

[dundarious]

I believe the "disable lock screen" permission is to prevent auto-lock, for example while displaying a video or QR code, and does not mean anything like that the app can remotely unlock the phone. The other permissions are certainly concerning.

[UncleMeat]

Disable Lock Screen means disabling the auto shutoff of the screen. This is important for any app that needs to remain constantly visible.

[dawnerd]

But is it actually needed or is it a way they can make sure the phone doesn’t lock if they confiscate it?

[UncleMeat]

The permission does not give the ability for an app to make a user unable to lock their screen. It enables an app to disable the automatic lock.