How concerned should we be about privacy ?

[jhbacon]

Hi All:
I just downloaded an app and read the permissions.... something I normally skip over because there is no choice but to accept the permissions if we want the app. However, this is what was included in the permissions : The app is allowed to... edit text messages (sms and mms), read text messages, read your call log, read your contacts, and much more. Notwithstanding the privacy policy they publish, I am certain hackers do not care about privacy issues, or, a misstep in programming can make private info not private anymore.
Someone will probably say that this is standard fare for apps, and while I do not disagree that it is standard fare, my questions center around the extent that we as app users are leaving ourselves wide open to anyone with a computer background and few scrupples !
Bottom line question here is, have we opened our private selves to the world, can we do anything about it, or should we do anything about it ?

 

[Greg C]

Hi All:
I just downloaded an app and read the permissions.... something I normally skip over because there is no choice but to accept the permissions if we want the app. However, this is what was included in the permissions : The app is allowed to... edit text messages (sms and mms), read text messages, read your call log, read your contacts, and much more. Notwithstanding the privacy policy they publish, I am certain hackers do not care about privacy issues, or, a misstep in programming can make private info not private anymore.
Someone will probably say that this is standard fare for apps, and while I do not disagree that it is standard fare, my questions center around the extent that we as app users are leaving ourselves wide open to anyone with a computer background and few scrupples !
Bottom line question here is, have we opened our private selves to the world, can we do anything about it, or should we do anything about it ?

Check this out:




Free Android apps cost users security, privacy - Technology on NBCNews.com

 

[Greg C]

More Than 25% Of Android Apps Know Too Much About You - Dark Reading

 

[jhbacon]

OK, GregC succeeded in scaring the crap out of me

 

[LegalAmerican]

I'm probably too trusting and a naive fool, but if they want to read my texts about how big of a dirtbag Derek Fisher is, that's up to them. If they want to snap a photo of the inside of my pocket, oh well. If they steal my credit card info, I will submit a VISA dispute form and change my card numbers. I don't know, I am sure there's tons of people out there doing shady crap. But if I was overly concerned about how they might "get me" i'd end up like Howie on Benchwarmers hiding in the closet and being terrified of the sun. A lot of apps need permissions to perform their functions. Like people go crazy about how keyboard apps ask for so much but that's because it needs to be allowed to remember things for you, or provide the ability to input text in any number of ways and fields.

Like I said, i'm sure there's tons of shady business that goes on. I'll continue to be cautious and aware, but I wont hide out in fear.

 

[idaute]

I'm probably too trusting and a naive fool, but if they want to read my texts about how big of a dirtbag Derek Fisher is, that's up to them. If they want to snap a photo of the inside of my pocket, oh well. If they steal my credit card info, I will submit a VISA dispute form and change my card numbers. I don't know, I am sure there's tons of people out there doing shady crap. But if I was overly concerned about how they might "get me" i'd end up like Howie on Benchwarmers hiding in the closet and being terrified of the sun. A lot of apps need permissions to perform their functions. Like people go crazy about how keyboard apps ask for so much but that's because it needs to be allowed to remember things for you, or provide the ability to input text in any number of ways and fields.

Like I said, i'm sure there's tons of shady business that goes on. I'll continue to be cautious and aware, but I wont hide out in fear.

Who the **** is Derek Fisher?

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[Tony2255]

They should give is more control for sure.

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[LegalAmerican]

Who the **** is Derek Fisher?

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD

Exactly what they'd say if they read my texts. That proves my point that I don't really care too much if they want to waste their time. Cause it would be meaningless what they'd find.

 

[barkomatic]

I'm probably too trusting and a naive fool, but if they want to read my texts about how big of a dirtbag Derek Fisher is, that's up to them. If they want to snap a photo of the inside of my pocket, oh well. If they steal my credit card info, I will submit a VISA dispute form and change my card numbers. I don't know, I am sure there's tons of people out there doing shady crap. But if I was overly concerned about how they might "get me" i'd end up like Howie on Benchwarmers hiding in the closet and being terrified of the sun. A lot of apps need permissions to perform their functions. Like people go crazy about how keyboard apps ask for so much but that's because it needs to be allowed to remember things for you, or provide the ability to input text in any number of ways and fields.

Like I said, i'm sure there's tons of shady business that goes on. I'll continue to be cautious and aware, but I wont hide out in fear.

I'm not sure I'd want to go to the trouble of getting my credit cards replaced--repeatedly. Also, maybe they'd get a pic of your pocket or maybe they'd get pics of of your children --along with GPS data that tells them where you live. The possibilities are great and I bet there are personal actions tied into your cell smartphone that you haven't realized.

I haven't heard of anyone having these issues yet because right now most companies just want to create really precise marketing data that they can sell to others -- but your personal data and privacy isn't something to shrug off and not care about.

 

[LegalAmerican]

I'm not sure I'd want to go to the trouble of getting my credit cards replaced--repeatedly. Also, maybe they'd get a pic of your pocket or maybe they'd get pics of of your children --along with GPS data that tells them where you live. The possibilities are great and I bet there are personal actions tied into your cell smartphone that you haven't realized.

I haven't heard of anyone having these issues yet because right now most companies just want to create really precise marketing data that they can sell to others -- but your personal data and privacy isn't something to shrug off and not care about.

I didn't say I don't care about it. I said I don't get too worked up over it because there's things I can do to protect myself if something was to occur. And if something is going to happen, there's nothing I can necessarily do about it. I had my house broken into and there were family videos on the video camera they stole. Yeah it freaking sucks and you feel violated, but it does no good to continually worry about it or live your life in fear.