I found this article on the "Physorg" website, interesting...
Researchers find phone apps sending data without notification
Researchers find phone apps sending data without notification
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Interesting article
- Thread starter robhs
- Start date
3gAndroid
Android Enthusiast
While this article was interesting from a technical standpoint, I'm not surprised at the abuse of privacy.
Although I strongly disgree with these practices, the fact remains that there is far too much money in collecting personal data, and nothing in place to protect the individual.
Its been going on for long before smartphones, they simply make it easier.
Sad but true.
Although I strongly disgree with these practices, the fact remains that there is far too much money in collecting personal data, and nothing in place to protect the individual.
Its been going on for long before smartphones, they simply make it easier.
Sad but true.
Endoran
Android Enthusiast
The disturbing part is that the program they tested their taintdroid app on was a wallpaper app that was included in a google investigation for possible privacy breeches...and google concluded in all its wisdom that it was "not a security threat".
Another equally disturbing quote from the google investigation article -
"The apps, it turns out, were accessing users' phone numbers, subscriber ID numbers, and voicemail numbers. According to their developer, the information was being used to identify devices and track users' preferences. Other Android programmers confirm that this explanation does make sense, though they're quick to point out that the same effect could be achieved in a far better -- and less data-intensive -- way."
How does our phone and voicemail number identify our devices and track our preferences? They don't need either one to identify our hardware and if it wants to track our preferences it needs to have us create an account and "log on" every time. I think the "other" Android developers comment was a gross understatement.
Anyway...anyone know where you can download this taintdroid? I've searched and cannot find it...
Another equally disturbing quote from the google investigation article -
"The apps, it turns out, were accessing users' phone numbers, subscriber ID numbers, and voicemail numbers. According to their developer, the information was being used to identify devices and track users' preferences. Other Android programmers confirm that this explanation does make sense, though they're quick to point out that the same effect could be achieved in a far better -- and less data-intensive -- way."
How does our phone and voicemail number identify our devices and track our preferences? They don't need either one to identify our hardware and if it wants to track our preferences it needs to have us create an account and "log on" every time. I think the "other" Android developers comment was a gross understatement.
Anyway...anyone know where you can download this taintdroid? I've searched and cannot find it...
staffsmatt
Well-Known Member
I too went looking for the app but according to cnet:
"Meanwhile, don't expect to be able to download the TaintDroid app anytime soon. It requires modifications to the firmware on the device to work, so users would have to jailbreak their phones and thus void the warranty to use it. But the researchers will offer it as an open-source tool for other researchers and developers to play with, Enck said."
It is a bit worrying that personal data is being blasted out all over the place and there's really very little you can do to stop it....
"Meanwhile, don't expect to be able to download the TaintDroid app anytime soon. It requires modifications to the firmware on the device to work, so users would have to jailbreak their phones and thus void the warranty to use it. But the researchers will offer it as an open-source tool for other researchers and developers to play with, Enck said."
It is a bit worrying that personal data is being blasted out all over the place and there's really very little you can do to stop it....