"Allow this application to..."

[jafcan]

(Sprint-Samsung Galaxy S sync'ed to office Outlook)

It seems to me that in order to use apps I have to give up personal information like my phone book or who I am currently calling or where I am. I am sure that many of my contacts would prefer not have their addresses, phone numbers and emails sent up to any developer, even if there is a privacy policy.

This is my first venture into Apps and for most apps that I have looked at I have to give the program access to my phone list, my current call status, and/or generally some personal information that I would prefer not to have the app report to its developer.

So, does this mean that if I choose to keep my address book private that I have to avoid apps (I realize that some like a stopwatch app will not require it?)

Thanks for your input.

JAF

 

[wayrad]

It's a good idea to be cautious about the permissions of apps you are considering installing. However, some of the permissions are written in a way that may seem alarming if you don't understand why the permission is being requested. An app may have a perfectly legitimate reason to need to access your address book, for example if it has any emailing, calling, or texting functions. Any ad-supported app will request internet access. Put together, the two permissions don't necessarily mean that your contact info will be sent to who knows where (although if it's a wallpaper or something, you would be quite rightfully cautious!)

This thread may help:
http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ps-avoid-viruses-guide-those-new-android.html

 

[Riki68]

Hi All!Often, it can not find the phone. An app (if any) as a key chain, whistling to one, or clap my hands and "his" back to tweet, so you can easily find where I did. If anyone knows of such an application, your phone, please tell me. Thank you.

 

[lennyjew]

Hi All!Often, it can not find the phone. An app (if any) as a key chain, whistling to one, or clap my hands and "his" back to tweet, so you can easily find where I did. If anyone knows of such an application, your phone, please tell me. Thank you.

That's a little off topic for this thread, not to mention a bit confusing.

I'm unaware of an app that continuously listens for keywords or sounds and calls back to you. An app like that would probably be a bit of a drain on the battery.

There is, however, an app called Where's my droid that will either ring when you text it, regardless of it's current volume state, or send you gps coordinates (granted the gps is turned on) when you text it, depending on what phrase word you use to trigger it.

 

[Riki68]

That's a little off topic for this thread, not to mention a bit confusing.

I'm unaware of an app that continuously listens for keywords or sounds and calls back to you. An app like that would probably be a bit of a drain on the battery.

There is, however, an app called Where's my droid that will either ring when you text it, regardless of it's current volume state, or send you gps coordinates (granted the gps is turned on) when you text it, depending on what phrase word you use to trigger it.

Sorry. I am a poor Hungarian "outlaw". I do not speak English. I want to translate with Google. Thank you for your help. Again, sorry for off-topic to understand. I kiss your hand.

 

[DaedalusxX]

//On Topic:
I share your concern, partially (in that I am a bit more forgiving when it comes to installing apps). I do get nervous when I actually read the permissions that some of these apps set. I would love to see a very brief description of why apps need access. It is only an extra 5 minutes (if that) when posting an app to the Market...This info would be just for the users and it is fair...

//Off-Topic:
@Riki68 - Poor Hungarian outlaw eh? lol...Sorry If I find this funny. Not only the posts but it's hard for me to associate "poor" with having an android phone...considering data plan prices these days...

 

[takeshi]

Link provided above provides a bit of info on various permissions. Keep in mind that the reason an app requests a given permission might not be as straightforward as looking at the name of the permission.

 

[larrycl]

I think the issue the OP is referring to is that many apps seem to request far more permissions than one might expect.
For example, why is it that many simple games and utilities need fine-grained location permission? The reason is because the want to serve targeted advertising.

Are you ok with this? That's up to you to decide.

(Personally, I'm ok with ads in free apps; I don't like, but am tolerant of, ads that use coarse location to serve targeted ads; and frankly ads that use fine-grained location access for targeting piss me off)