Apps asking permission is just a nonsense

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#1

I know that Android apps have for some time been warning the user what permissions are needed before you decide to install them but this seems to have extended itself to Firefox now.

And the whole thing is a crock of sh*t because they never tell you why they need a particular permission or what they are going to do with your device or your data.

It's like the plumber saying he needs the key to your front door - but without the reassurance that you know who the plumber is and where to find him if your diamond tiara goes missing.

[/rant]

...R

#2

Robin2: It's like the plumber saying he needs the key to your front door - but without the reassurance that you know who the plumber is and where to find him if your diamond tiara goes missing.

+1

#3

I have a crappy Vodacom tablet; to read sms'es, I need to start an app (makes sense) and it insists on permission to access my images (WTF).

I'm not sending images, I'm not receiving images; only thing that comes in is bandwidth warnings. Actually, you should be able to deny individual permissions if you think that you don't need them.

Very tempted to go back to my 5 year old Samsung.

#4

sterretje:
I have a crappy Vodacom tablet; to read sms’es, I need to start an app (makes sense) and it insists on permission to access my images (WTF).

And I bet it doesn’t tell you what it is going to do with your images :slight_smile:

…R

#5

No its perfectly fair to say "I need access to ". You decide "No", and the app doesn't install.

Then I get upset, why cant I get the bit I need and the app just does not execute the stuff I didn't want ?!?!

I suspect/guess/fanatzise that the app has a few extra features, and the programmers couldnt handle an accessviolation gracefully, should I try the unwanted features.

Same shi* on webpages. Big splashscreen that they need to analyze my cookies to make money out of my data. Cant read anything until I accept. So .. sigh... need to google more and find the next site. In a way fair, it is the "price" for getting "free" information. Or I can go the whole hog with adblokers Thor and tinfoil hat.

I do not know what the world is comming to.

#6

It's like the plumber saying he needs the key to your front door - but without the reassurance that you know who the plumber is and where to find him if your diamond tiara goes missing.

Perfectly summarized. +1

#7

Robin2:
And I bet it doesn’t tell you what it is going to do with your images :slight_smile:

I think something like Malusi Gigaba sex tape on world’s biggest porn site, gets a 20% thumbs down.

Gigaba is the current minister of home affairs in South Africa.

#8

Robin2: And the whole thing is a crock of sh*t because they never tell you why they need a particular permission or what they are going to do with your device or your data.

Agreed.

Read between the lines of what the social media companies have been saying in front of the various governments they have been forced to explain themselves to.

To paraphrase. Yes, we got it very wrong. We will make amends (there is no need to regulate our business) by making our services 'more transparent (sic)'.

In other words. The way forward is to discourage consumers from opting out of data collection, by overloading them with choice and obscure threats, and the real irritation, of their apps not working when required. Even if you take the (considerable) time to research each option, you will be presented with new choices and new irritations at the next (forced) update.

#9

What got me started on this was WhatsApp. A (non-IT) friend suggested it so we could communicate cheaply while she was abroad. When I downloaded the App it asked for access to my phone directory - which seemed reasonable in view of its purpose. The next thing I knew it had copied all the entries in my phone directory to its database. I did not consciously give it permission to do that. I had assumed it would ask me on a case by case basis whenever I wanted to contact someone.

I deleted the App and changed my phone number.

…R

#10

Robin2: I deleted the App and changed my phone number.

Too late!

Zuckerberg has you.

Next stop is room 101 ;)

#11

msssltd: Zuckerberg has you.

Is he also "WhatsApp" ?

He can call me all he likes on the old phone number that no longer works :)

...R

#12

Robin2: Is he also "WhatsApp" ?

He can call me all he likes on the old phone number that no longer works :)

...R

Look at these:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Facebook

You will be amazed.

Paul

#13

Paul_KD7HB: You will be amazed.

I was.

What's left? Amazon and Microsoft?

...R