Light Flow Permissions?

[TheNexusMan]

I've read a lot of posts from people recommending Light Flow, and I really want to to try it out, however, I must say, the one thing that's held me back from downloading the app to my Galaxy Nexus are the sensitive permission requirements. Are they all necessary? Do you guys feel the app is safe and harmless? Is the developer reputable? The specific permissions that I am wary of are:

1. Your personal information (can read all calendar events plus personal information, all contact data)

2. Phone calls (can see phone number, serial number, numbers connected to, etc...)

3. Hardware Controls (Can take pictures and videos and at any time can collect images the camera is seeing)

That seems like a lot of sensitive information being forked over for notification lights. Can anyone explain to me exactly why they all are needed?

 

[samkatz]

well, in order to activitate the right alerts, the app may need these things. For example, you want an e-mail or calendar alert. It needs to know the e-mail is coming or you have a specific apptnmet on the calendar. I don't believe that the permission implies that the data is actually being sent to the app designer or anyone else.

I have the app and I know it's used by thousands. I can't vouch for the security because I don't know enough about this. However, realize that Google knows just about everything there is to know about you if you're in the world of gmail, google search while logged into your account, browsing etc.

 

[superlawyer15]

I have been using this app since the day I got my gnex

I've even had the chance to speak with the developer

The app needs to know when these events take place so that it can trigger the right alert

I wouldn't be worried about the permissions

 

[rabid48]

I've read a lot of posts from people recommending Light Flow, and I really want to to try it out, however, I must say, the one thing that's held me back from downloading the app to my Galaxy Nexus are the sensitive permission requirements. Are they all necessary? Do you guys feel the app is safe and harmless? Is the developer reputable? The specific permissions that I am wary of are:

1. Your personal information (can read all calendar events plus personal information, all contact data)

2. Phone calls (can see phone number, serial number, numbers connected to, etc...)

3. Hardware Controls (Can take pictures and videos and at any time can collect images the camera is seeing)

That seems like a lot of sensitive information being forked over for notification lights. Can anyone explain to me exactly why they all are needed?

Read the app description. It takes this data to direct your notification to the proper colored light flashes, but it does not connect to the web AT ALL, meaning there's no sharing of the information that it gathers.

 

[TheNexusMan]

What kind of notification needs to be able to take pictures and video of anything the camera is seeing?

 

[Geezer Squid]

Are they all necessary? Do you guys feel the app is safe and harmless? Is the developer reputable?

Yes, Safe and Yes.

As with any app, if you don't like the permissions, don't use it.

Feel free to contact the devs to ask questions about your concerns.

Good luck

 

[rabid48]

What kind of notification needs to be able to take pictures and video of anything the camera is seeing?

I think that is for devices without a notification light. This app allows those devices to use the camera flash as a notification light instead (I just realized this when updating my flashlight app...). You kinda have to dig around in the settings for that info, but it shouldn't be an issue for the GNex since Light Flow works well with the notification light.

 

[TheNexusMan]

Thanks! For all of the helpful responses!