Cheetah Mobile CM3 launcher???

[Chuck Brotman]

Hi,

New to this forum!

I've been using the free version of cheetah mobile's CM3 Launcher. Except for the sds I have no complaints. I've seen posts saying to avoid this product, that have me concerned (especially he ones saying that CM3 is spyware). Is there anything to back up these accusations??? I'm concidering going for the PRO version to get rid of the ads. can anyone comment? Please be able to support your statements

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[tube517]

https://androidforums.com/threads/cheetah-mobile-is-snake-oil.1092163/

 

[svim]

Cheetah Mobile does put out some really good stuff, the problem is when you install their apps they do link themselves back to Bejing. Of course that's not a unique situation for anything relative to our smartphones these days, it's just something to be aware of. And in the case of something like a launcher which by necessity has an effect on almost all user interaction with their phone, it's even more pervasive. If you look at the required Permissions listed on the CM Launcher 3D Play Store page it's an extensive list:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ksmobile.launcher
Phone

• directly call phone numbers
• reroute outgoing calls
• read call log
• read phone status and identity
• write call log
• add voicemail

Photos/Media/Files

• access USB storage filesystem
• read the contents of your USB storage
• modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

Storage

• read the contents of your USB storage
• modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

Camera

• take pictures and videos

Microphone

• record audio

Wi-Fi connection information

• view Wi-Fi connections

Device ID & call information

• read phone status and identity

Device & app history

• retrieve running apps
• read sensitive log data

SMS

• read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
• receive text messages (SMS)
• edit your text messages (SMS or MMS)

Photos/Media/Files

• read the contents of your USB storage
• modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

Other

• Hotword detection
• provide an in-call user experience
• display unauthorized windows
• control media playback and metadata access
• close other apps
• adjust your wallpaper size
• modify secure system settings
• read Home settings and shortcuts
• write Home settings and shortcuts
• read voicemail
• write voicemails
• receive data from Internet
• update component usage statistics
• view network connections
• create accounts and set passwords
• read battery statistics
• pair with Bluetooth devices
• access Bluetooth settings
• send sticky broadcast
• change network connectivity
• connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
• delete all app cache data
• disable your screen lock
• expand/collapse status bar
• control flashlight
• measure app storage space
• full network access
• close other apps
• change your audio settings
• read sync settings
• run at startup
• reorder running apps
• set wallpaper
• draw over other apps
• use accounts on the device
• control vibration
• prevent device from sleeping
• modify system settings
• toggle sync on and off
• set an alarm
• write web bookmarks and history
• install shortcuts
• uninstall shortcuts
• view network connections
• pair with Bluetooth devices
• access Bluetooth settings
• send sticky broadcast
• change network connectivity
• connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
• disable your screen lock
• expand/collapse status bar
• control flashlight
• full network access
• close other apps
• change your audio settings
• read sync settings
• run at startup
• reorder running apps
• set wallpaper
• draw over other apps
• use accounts on the device
• control vibration
• prevent device from sleeping
• modify system settings
• toggle sync on and off
• set an alarm
• install shortcuts
• uninstall shortcuts

Taking into consideration the level of access that app needs, you do need to read through their Privacy Policy statement (... a plus being it is written in common language terminology so unlike something like Microsoft's gazillion page legalese Terms of Service you can just read it and actually understand it.)
http://www.cmcm.com/protocol/site/privacy.html
Note that they are up front about monetizing your collected data so this isn't a matter of deception, you just have to make an informed decision on whether the value of the app is worth the personal info that you're giving them access to.

 

[chanchan05]

^What he said. Cheetah Mobile basically straight up admitted says they'll sell the data they get from your phone to anyone. And AFAIK they're also required to turn over date to the Chinese government.

It's not that we're careful of them because we suspect something fishy. We KNOW something is a bit concerning because they straight up told the world.