Apps violating your privacy!

[Chuck931]

Apps violating your privacy, what do you think? Do you care. Is thier anything being done,or anything should or should not be done?

Sent from my DROIDX being controlled by data thieves

 

[Mirodd]

Which apps are you referring to and exactly how do they violate your (or our) privacy?

 

[thinkmega]

#1, we need to define what are private information;
#2, indeed I believe apps can access information more freely than they admit. Well, I believe a lot of things that I can't prove.

How to deal with this? I don't have a good answer to myself. I hope congress will pick up this and use legislation to define the game rules.

 

[Mojo]

Sorry.. i dont want any government laws or control to "protect" what apps can and cannot do.. we have to much government as it is.. anywho.. just be aware of the apps your installing and you will be good. stick with top rated apps and top rated devs and you should not have any issues.. besides.. your using a phone made by google.. nothings private anyways..

 

[wrenchtwistr]

How about an app that controls other apps access... would you spend .99 for that?

Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums App

 

[csimo]

It does concern me when I install and app and it requires access to my contacts and call data. I have no evidence they actually harvest my data, but apparently I gave my permission when I install the app either way.

I wish someone would come up with an app that monitors what data is sent under such circumstances. I'd pay for one of those.

-Joe

 

[GaryJ]

WSJ article on IPhone and Android

WSJ did a test and came up with some disturbing results.

IPhone and Android Apps Breach Privacy - WSJ.com

 

[thinkmega]

I use droidwall. It acts like a firewall. But it can't stop the legit communications. Let's say if weatherbug wants to know who are on your contact list, there is not much you can do to stop it provided you don't install and run this app.

Can the industry self police itself? Why should they? On moral ground? What moral ground?

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums App

 

[hatcyl]

Well there you go:

If an app wants to access your information it needs your permission. You can give it permission or not.

If apps had no way to access the info (even with permission) they would not exist, in which case just don't download the app ... same thing!

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums App

 

[thinkmega]

If it acts in good faith, yes, your consent works. If it wants more than it said, how do you know?

I have been looking for features in android that would prompt users of warning when certain information are accessed. In order to do this, we need to define what information are deem sensitive. There should be a standard, just like PG13 and R... Have we seen something like this? No. Without a grading system, how can you regulate access? I think that is something Google should consider. However, will Google do it? Why should it? It loves information!

Well there you go:

If an app wants to access your information it needs your permission. You can give it permission or not.

If apps had no way to access the info (even with permission) they would not exist, in which case just don't download the app ... same thing!

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums App

 

[hatcyl]

Wait ... what?

1. There is a system to prevent apps from accessing your sensitive information without your concent.

2. Recently, an "adult" filter has been implemented (to filter adult apps) but that's irrelevant.

I think you might want something that can tell if they are using your information for legit reasons? Impossible. If someone walks up to you and asks you for your address you can't know if they want to send you an xmas gift or plan an assasination on you.

What do you fear people will do with your contacts? The worst I can think of is Spam, but that's already a huge problem!

If it acts in good faith, yes, your consent works. If it wants more than it said, how do you know?

I have been looking for features in android that would prompt users of warning when certain information are accessed. In order to do this, we need to define what information are deem sensitive. There should be a standard, just like PG13 and R... Have we seen something like this? No. Without a grading system, how can you regulate access? I think that is something Google should consider. However, will Google do it? Why should it? It loves information!

Well there you go:

If an app wants to access your information it needs your permission. You can give it permission or not.

If apps had no way to access the info (even with permission) they would not exist, in which case just don't download the app ... same thing!

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums App

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums App

 

[Martin030908]

privacy doesn't truly exist in the internet age....

*DroidForums app DOES*

 

[nibblit]

privacy doesn't truly exist in the internet age....

Sad. Especially, when it comes to children.

Sent from my marginally bricked D2.

 

[Chuck931]

I think a developers drive would still continue to mark apps. I feel an opt in and opt out should be required, im sure their is people that wouldn't care if data was collected. As for the government as much as I hate to say it, I don't think the corporation would self police,as such telemarketer didn't it took an opt out law to be introduced to help reduce calls. Just my opinion

Well there you go:

If an app wants to access your information it needs your permission. You can give it permission or not.

If apps had no way to access the info (even with permission) they would not exist, in which case just don't download the app ... same thing!

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums App

Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums App

 

[csimo]

Yes something needs to be done about this issue. I have several very private numbers in my contacts list that should never be released to anyone. In those cases I have to make up aliases for the names so they can't be associated.

But either way there is no reason that my contact lists should be sucked out of my phone when I want to see what the weather is going to be tomorrow. The numbers I've dialed in the last 30 days shouldn't be stolen from me when I want to listen to a song.

I hope someone will come up with an app that will block ALL of this... nothing goes out without my approval.

Nearly every app tells you up front that they access all this info, but few of us really believe they take it (but they do).

You can have the attitude "I've got nothing to hide so why do I care?" or the real American attitude "I've got the right to be left alone unless you can show I've done something wrong". I prefer the latter.