Much has been written and discussed about privacy and social media. I always advise users to post with full knowledge that updates and comments can be read by people they don't even know and might live on forever in cyber eternity. And while that can be pretty daunting, it's only the tip of the privacy iceberg. Serious privacy infractions can be hidden much deeper from view.
Think about the apps - short for applications. An application is software code written for many fun and useful tools to be utilized on social media sites and smartphones. The amazing array of offerings make them very hard to resist. Video games are not novel, but the ability to play interactive games with people from all over the world via the use of an app, has practically defined the term 'social' in our online world. Facebook and smartphones would be less appealing without these apps and certainly a lot less fun.
Some apps have a small fee and many are free. They've been written for so many utilities that the Apple slogan "There's an app for that" has become less of a marketing message and more a common refrain. So what's the risk? A quote attributed to blue-beetle might describe it best: If you are not paying for it, you're not the customer; you're the product being sold. The commodity is information.
Who really takes the time to read the permissions we're allowing in our haste to accept and download a cool new tool or game? How likely are we to actually understand these permissions even if we did read them? What information is being collected and how is it going to be used? Recognition that the privacy policies of social media sites and search engines are vague and confusing may cause some people to refrain from using any apps in an effort to protect their information. That can be a prudent step, but depending on the account privacy settings, could still allow the release of the information via a contact or friend's app usage.
When it comes to app permissions, it's all or nothing. We are not allowed the choice to elect some permissions and not others. Early on, I adopted the policy to not use any Facebook apps in an effort to keep my personal information private. However, I have recently added a smartphone and a tablet PC to my technology toybox, both of which are loaded with really cool apps - and yes, one of them is Facebook. I have a hunch I've just let the proverbial cat out of the bag.
A recent Wall Street Journal article gives an indepth look into the issue of apps and privacy: Selling You on Facebook
How do you feel about app permissions? What steps have you taken, if any, to protect your personal information?
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This post is serious business. Most people I am certain do not give it a second thought yet with our mobile devices becoming our primary device that contains our important and personal information it is going to become a huge issue. You are on the forefront of it :) People worry about google and fb. I believe you have identified a much larger concern.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Tony. Believe it or not, I'd almost be more comfortable releasing my personal info to FB and Google than to the random 3rd party app developers. ID theft is a major issue and the more info we put 'out there' the easier we make it for the perpetrators. I wonder what would happen if people en masse would refuse to download any apps until the permissions fall in line with allowing only what is actually necessary for the app to function.
DeleteMy biggest pet peeves when it comes to permission for an app is when an app requires Read Phone State and Identity permission. Many of these apps are what I would think to be pretty simple and all they should need is Internet and read/write capabilities. Why does Netflix need "Read Phone State and Identity" permission? Phone State and Identity permission means that the app can: verify the user/phone with IMEI, IMSI, and device ID, gather personal information such as your phone number. An app with this permission and full Internet permissions is an app that can do just about anything to your phone. App developers team up with advertisers and the advertisers love to get this information for targeting ads and the like to users. People should be aware of what permissions apps are requiring. I have not installed many apps based on the fact that they want Read Phone State and Identity permission. Nasty stuff!
ReplyDeleteWow. You see, most of us don't even know what those permissions allow? I had no idea what "Read Phone State and Identity" even means. Thank you for sharing your technical expertise. I really do hope this topic gains some traction and the users start to demand accountability.
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