Samsung Device Insights Program Privacy Concerns

[ChuckWithAZ3v]

Jerry,

After listening to quite a few of the AC Podcasts, I know you're the man to talk to about security and the like, so I'll delve right in.

The good: after going through the sign up process summer 2016, recieving a survey, then finally receiving confirmation and a coupon code, I was able to get a Galaxy S8+.

The bad: I had read the Terms and Conditions (only a couple pages) and everything seemed ok at the time, but upon re-reading, I'm not sure if the phone is worth the data they are ABLE to collect. I specify ABLE because of course I don't know for certain if they ARE collecting it.

The question: I'm wondering if I have anything to worry about or if I should be concerned about my privacy (more than normal at least) or the security of my location data and such being sent to Samsung. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I've attached some screenshots of the administrator access and application permissions required by the Samsung device insights app.

 

[dlalonde]

I know you're asking Jerry but if I may, I too am a privacy and security wary person but honestly, I wouldn't be worried about that. The first reason is I think Samsung is a company that can be trusted. Second, because I think all companies actually collect telemetry whether you're in this kind of program or not.

But given the deal you've gotten, I'm pretty sure they will be taking more telemetry than on a normal device. But I don't think Samsung is worrisome at all.

Hope that helps!

 

[ChuckWithAZ3v]

Thanks, I appreciate the response! I'm sure Samsung is interested in me returning as a customer, and it's not that I'm terribly worried about their integrity, it's just odd to me their 1 app requires so much control (i.e. changing lock screen password) in order to collect the necessary data. I just hope the app is secure enough on its own, it'd be terrible if someone malicious could somehow use that to ransomware my phone or something.

 

[Aquila]

One thing that I will point out is that Samsung does give themselves permission to share/sell user data with third parties. But, like Apple, there's no record of them actually doing so. This is in contrast with Google, who doesn't give themselves such permission and Microsoft, who gives themselves permission and actually does sell it.

 

[dlalonde]

One thing that I will point out is that Samsung does give themselves permission to share/sell user data with third parties. But, like Apple, there's no record of them actually doing so. This is in contrast with Google, who doesn't give themselves such permission and Microsoft, who gives themselves permission and actually does sell it.

Microsoft actually does it?