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Remotetracker

joubertvasc

joubertvasc

Lurker
The award winning RemoteTracker for Windows Mobile now for Android Platform!

Be sure this is a work in progress!!! This application will grow up all the time.

RemoteTracker is an Anti thieft software that works intercepting SMS and answering commands.The list of commands includes the from get the current position to take picture from front camera every time the SEND button is pressed (PRO version). See the command list below.

Just configure the parameters to keep your device safe. If you lose you device use any other mobile phone to send a message to you, get the position and go to the police!

Features:

- SIM CARD CHANGE. You can configure up to four contacts to receive messages if someone changes your SIM CARD. You can keep your eyes on your device with the new number;
- Remote Control. You can do lots of things with your phone remotely. For example: run applications, get pictures, send message, lock/unlock your device, get contact list and more;
- EMail support. You can receive answers from RemoteTracker in your e-mail account. This kind of method let RemoteTracker attach files to you.
- FTP support. As well as EMail support you can get files from your lost/stolen devices to your FTP server.
- Password protected. No one will be able to locate you if you set a password;
- And more! Please take a look on help.

How it works:

If you lose your device, just get another mobile phone (or go to some WEB site able to send messages) and send a message like this:

rt#<the command you want>#<the number or e-mail to answer>#<your password>

Example: rt#gp##1234

In this example you sent a message with the GP command (get position) to be answered to sender with 1234 as password. Please note "the number or e-mail to answer" is optional. If you leave it blank the answer will be sent to the sender of the message or to an e-mail defined in preferences menu.

Basic Commands:

help - Get the command list
ehelp - Same as HELP, but send the answer by e-mail
fhelp - Same as HELP, but send the answer to your FTP server
secret - If you lose your password you will need to send this command to retrieve your secret question
lostpass - If you lose your password you can use this command to send your secret answer and then receive your password
cb - Just make a call to you
gp - The main command. Send to you the location of your device.
egp - Same as GP, but send an email
fgp - Same as GP, but send a file to your FTP server
pb - Retrieve your phone book
epb - Same as PB, but send an email
fpg - Same as PB, but send a file to your FTP server
msg - Show a message to the one who is using your device
sms - Your device will send a message to a contact

Advanced Commands

gi - Retrieves informations from your device, like IMEI, IMSI and ICCID
egi - Same as GI, but send an email
fgi - Same as GI, but send a file to your FTP server
cellid - Retrieves informations from your device, like CELLID, MNC and MCC
egi - Same as CELLID, but send an email
fgi - Same as CELLID, but send a file to your FTP server
listapp - Retrieve the list of installed applications
elistapp - Same as LISTAPP, but send an email
flistap - Same as LISTAPP, but send a file to your FTP server
runapp - Make the desired application to run on device
lock - Lock your device with a message to the one who is using it
unlock - Unlock your device

Commands Available on PRO Version

picson - RemoteTrackerPRO starts monitoring the cameras. If someone take a picture, you will receive a copy
picsoff - RemoteTrackerPRO will stop monitoring the cameras
pcallson - RemoteTrackerPRO starts monitoring the SEND button. Everytime it was pressed, a front camera picture will be taken and send to you
pcallsoff - RemoteTrackerPRO will stop monitoring the SEND button.
wipedata - RemoteTrackerPRO will format your SD card and restore your device to factory default. Use it only if you can't get your device back.
 
Today is a very sad day to me. Lots of hours spent to write a good software to the public and Google just removed RemoteTracker from Google Play, because it is 'dangerous'. I made contact with them with explanations about RemoteTracker and it's history, but the response was totally rude, treating me like a criminal.
I come here to apologize and thank to everyone that supported me and my work so far. RemoteTracker for Android is now closed.
 
Most of the time, an app is not considered "dangerous" because of any implied intent of the author, but merely because of poor programming techniques that can render the device unstable.
 
The e-mail from Google was clear: they suspect RemoteTracker was a malware, not poor. Well, they can remove everything they want. But I can't accept to be treated as a criminal, if my intention was exactly the opposite.
 
Since you bring it up, would you copy-n-post the mail from Google that you refer to? I'd be interested in seeing what you're saying more precisely.
 
Yes, of course. Google never said it's a secret.

The first Google e-mail:
--
This is a notification that your application, RemoteTrackerPro for Android, with package ID jv.android.remotetrackerpro, has been removed from the Google Play Store.

REASON FOR REMOVAL: Violation of the dangerous products provision of the Content Policy.

After a regular review, we have determined that this app collects and/or transmits excessive personal information without adequate notification to the device user. This is in violation of the above provision and prohibited in the Google Play Store.

All violations are tracked. Serious or repeated violations of any nature will result in the termination of your developer account, and investigation and possible termination of related Google accounts. If your account is terminated, payments will cease and Google may recover the proceeds of any past sales and the cost of any associated fees (such as chargebacks and payment transaction fees) from you.

If your developer account is still in good standing, you may revise and upload a policy compliant version of your application as a new package name. Before uploading any new applications, please review the Developer Distribution Agreement and Content Policy.

If you feel we have made this determination in error, you can visit this Google Play Help Center article for additional information regarding this removal.

The Google Play Team
--

My appeal (we had only 500 characters do have a defense!!!):
--
Registered_email_address: joubertvasc@gmail.com
abuse_type: dangerous_products
package_name: jv.android.remotetracker
appeal_reason: I would like to explain RemoteTracker is not a malware or
something. This software is useful to find lost or stolen devices. In case
of device can not be find, the app has features to owners save their
informations, like contacts, sms, history and more.
RT was based on my award winning software for Windows Mobile. I can send
the java source code if needed. The original (WM version) was opensource
and you can see it in RemoteTracker - Browse Files at SourceForge.net
Thank you in advance.
--

Google final decision:
--
Hi,

We have reviewed your appeal and will not be reinstating your app. This decision is final and we will not be responding to any additional emails regarding this removal.

If your account is still in good standing and the nature of your app allows for republishing you may consider releasing a new, policy compliant version of your app to Google Play under a new package name. We are unable to comment further on the specific policy basis for this removal or provide guidance on bringing future versions of your app into policy compliance. Instead, please reference the REASON FOR REMOVAL in the initial notification email from Google Play.

Please note that additional violations may result in a suspension of your Google Play Developer account.

Regards,
The Google Play Team
--

There are LOTS of programs with same objective as RemoteTracker had: find, remote control or get informations from lost/stolen devices. Just go to Play and search for Remote Tracker, or Phone Locator... You will see lots of apps. Because of that I can't understand why this one is dangerous. They didn't explain to me.

Joubert
 
Its a shame man. Google seem a bit harsh. What are you gona do now? Just give up or change the app?
Good luck :beer:
 
I don't know yet. I uploaded the last apk to sourceforge, so users could get there. Maybe I'll rewrite the application using another name. Really don't know.
 
Can you do a similar thing many "ad-block" developers did? Some opened Web pages where their app could be directly downloaded....
 
joubertvasc said:
"This is a notification that your application, RemoteTrackerPro for Android, with package ID jv.android.remotetrackerpro, has been removed from the Google Play Store.

REASON FOR REMOVAL: Violation of the dangerous products provision of the Content Policy.

After a regular review, we have determined that this app collects and/or transmits excessive personal information without adequate notification to the device user. This is in violation of the above provision and prohibited in the Google Play Store."
Click to expand...

Well, that seems very straight-forward. There is an official "Content Policy" with which the app doesn't comply for some reason(s).

"without adequate notification to the device user" seems easy to address by just providing an adequate notification to the user (dialog box, settings with checkbox for each type of personal info to be transmitted, user agreement to allow such info when app is run for first time, etc.) before transmitting personal information.

"... If your developer account is still in good standing, you may revise and upload a policy compliant version of your application as a new package name. Before uploading any new applications, please review the Developer Distribution Agreement and Content Policy."
Click to expand...
Again, very simple and straightforward: review the Agreement and Policy, verify that the app complies, and then re-submit with a new package name.


My appeal (we had only 500 characters do have a defense!!!):
...
appeal_reason: I would like to explain RemoteTracker is not a malware or something. This software is useful to find lost or stolen devices. In case of device can not be find, the app has features to owners save their informations, like contacts, sms, history and more. RT was based on my award winning software for Windows Mobile. I can send the java source code if needed. The original (WM version) was opensource and you can see it in RemoteTracker - Browse Files at SourceForge.net
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
You didn't even begin to address the Agreement and Policy compliance and re-submission process as required.

There are LOTS of programs with same objective as RemoteTracker had: find, remote control or get informations from lost/stolen devices. Just go to Play and search for Remote Tracker, or Phone Locator... You will see lots of apps. Because of that I can't understand why this one is dangerous. They didn't explain to me.
Click to expand...
Sure they did, but for some reason you seem unwilling to address the reason provided: your app sends excessive personal information without adequate notification to the user, as required by the Content Policy which you agreed to as a developer.

It's very clear that Google never accused you of being a "criminal" as you infer. Waving your arms, bitching and moaning is just wasted energy ... you really should follow the guidelines and respect the policies and agreements. Your app is still a contender if you will.
 
joubertvasc said:
Yes, I did that. You can download the apk from sourceforge now. But I really don't like it.
Click to expand...
Actually, I just installed yours. I have it on an old Windows Mobile phone, and I know I tested it there in the past, and it worked well. The reason that I installed your package instead of going with the Samsung/Google setup that my phone has built in, is because:
1. Google requires me to have a GMail account, AND GIVE THEM MY CONTACTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE PRIVATE ON MY PHONE.
2. They require access to all of the same things except they are unquestionably selling people out. It's the basis of the "free" services.
3. They have the strong arm on them to transmit this information so it can be archived and used for political targeting by corrupt entities.

I installed a copy of your app from SourceForge. I learned about this problem by the broken links in your app to the Google Play Store. Apparently there is a pro version, and the docs that I'm using appear to be the same ones that I have for my Windows Phone. The good news is it executed the request and returned the coordinates of the phone. The bad news is the request triggers the new text message alert and comes in with all off the other texts, displaying the callers phone number and password.

Thanks for all of the time and effort you put into this, and what a great product it has been in the past with Windows Mobile.
 
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