android invasion of privacy

[ywenz]

Some Android apps caught covertly sending GPS data to advertisers

 

[icebike]

Can't wait for that TaintDroid app to hit the market.

When it does there will be firestorm against some app developers. It would be wise for them to rush out "bug fix" releases to remove these practices before it gets real easy for users to detect.

Can you spell "Class Action" ?

 

[Paladin]

I want a firewall application. I want to control what goes to where.
I want the ability to block information if I so choose. Can I have that? ii

If it needs root that is fine since I did! ii

 

[kicko]

but isn't that just for location based ads?? which google already does for every device and pc.

 

[SeeK]

When will people realize that if someone wants to find your phone, they will and doing so has been possible for decades. So what if an app checks where you are to give you more relevant advertising? Gah.

 

[dekcufi]

all they need for local add is to know what tower your phone is communicating with anyways, it doesn't have to be gps based

 

[Gekko]

WTF i just installed The Weather Channel today.

i wonder if i should uninstall?

 

[jdbower]

all they need for local add is to know what tower your phone is communicating with anyways, it doesn't have to be gps based

Or the IP address you come in on - location is easy and if it makes an app worth developing to sell location-based ads I'd rather have the app. Of course, a paid version is also a nice alternative, but too many people are too cheap to buy it or will pirate the app.

I want a firewall application. I want to control what goes to where.
I want the ability to block information if I so choose. Can I have that? ii

Look for DroidWall in the market.

 

[illwood]

WTF i just installed The Weather Channel today.

i wonder if i should uninstall?

Doesn't that use your GPS for location based weather?

Or am I missing something about your commment?

 

[geewhipped]

fwiw, this study was just released showing that tons of iPhone apps are up to shenanigans as well: iPhone Applications & Privacy Issues: An Analysis of Application Transmission of iPhone Unique Device Identifiers (UDIDs) - pskl.us

Just in case you need fodder for arguments with iPhone users after they get their hands on this android article

 

[dekcufi]

just look at your app permissions!
why does a non location based app need to know your coarse or fine gps location?

 

[jd195]

just look at your app permissions!
why does a non location based app need to know your coarse or fine gps location?

Coarse location would be useful for any free app with ads to target local ads at you, and not for stores and things halfway across the country

 

[kicko]

why is this such a big deal? Google already knows - who you talk to, what you talk about, what you do, where you do it and where you live.