Apps and Security

[andadroid]

Sorry if this is posted everywhere--I haven't found it, but that's probably my fault.

Obviously different apps require different levels of access to our information. Does anyone know how vulnerable I/my contacts are going to be as I collect more apps? For example, Home++ has access to contacts. Now does that mean the developers could collect contact information from google contacts? Add people to spam lists, etc?

 

[andadroid]

Bump--sorry if this is a totally stupid/obvious question, but if so, can someone maybe give me a link to info on apps and the security of user contacts? I really don't want third parties to have access to my email and phone lists.

 

[takeshi]

For example, Home++ has access to contacts. Now does that mean the developers could collect contact information from google contacts? Add people to spam lists, etc?

Not necessarily. Does Home++ have access to any method of communication? You have to look at all the access that an app has -- not just one particular item.

 

[andadroid]

Thanks,
This is what I don't really understand about Linux systems. I keep reading that all the apps are "sandboxed," which I suppose means they can't work through other apps maliciously. But does that mean that an email app, which has access to both contacts and communication, could conceivably steal contact info for spam purposes? Or a calendar program, which is hooked up to gmail, etc etc?