Smart data saver based on predicted information needs

This disclosure describes techniques to manage consumption of network bandwidth, e.g., by a mobile device. Dynamic classification of mobile device applications is performed based on permissions and levels of background data usable by an application. Background data requests from an application are selectively permitted or denied access to the network, based on device state such as content displayed on screen, text input state, application usage information, etc. Such selective permission or denial of network access results in savings in network bandwidth consumption while allowing the mobile device to access the network for important tasks, e.g., to receive updates