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Google Android privacy concerns... — Parallax Forums

Google Android privacy concerns...

Kevin WoodKevin Wood Posts: 1,266
edited 2011-12-02 01:56 in General Discussion
Apparently certain Android devices may also be running a data collection application that is essentially a factory installed rootkit. Anybody using or thinking of using an Android should be aware of this.

Here's more info... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/30/smartphone_spying_app/

Comments

  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2011-12-01 00:54
    Interesting. All it takes is somebody knowledgeable to look at the debugging output to see what these services are up to. I guess cell phone manufacturers will have to make the debugging output more difficult to use. Encrypt it maybe?
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-12-01 02:54
    It is pretty easy to track down whether these kinds of things are being done. So my impression that this is possibly a negative info campaign to erode Android's market share. Of course you may wonder who would be doing that -- the usual suspects.
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-12-01 04:58
    If it actually captures texting keystrokes as stated, that kind of privacy invasion could result in criminal prosecution for CarrierIQ.
  • TtailspinTtailspin Posts: 1,326
    edited 2011-12-01 06:32
    Would love to help, But I am afraid that you actually "signed" the contract....
  • wiretripperwiretripper Posts: 7
    edited 2011-12-01 06:42
    Anyone ever see the film the net? :smile:
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2011-12-01 08:36
    This doesn't surprise me at all. GM is perpetrating something similar with OnStar, and I would be surprised if other companies are not already doing or planning to do the same thing. This is why I prefer open source software.

    What we really need are open source contracts along the lines of the MIT and GPL open source licenses. That might help keep them honest.... or not.
  • Kenny GardnerKenny Gardner Posts: 169
    edited 2011-12-01 12:08
    The same software is on the iPad and iPhone but it doesn't log keystrokes and you can Opt Out.

    I hope they go after these people, and Google.

    Kenny
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2011-12-01 14:54
    Kevin Wood wrote: »
    Apparently certain Android devices may also be running a data collection application that is essentially a factory installed rootkit. Anybody using or thinking of using an Android should be aware of this.

    Here's more info... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/30/smartphone_spying_app/
    Actually I find this a minor worry. We see how the brits have cameras watching every one live. Kinda limited actually. Just think about all the cell phone cameras out there storing pictures to facebook, flicker sites etc. with a crapload of identifiers in them camera type phone esn and much more. Google maps was a tempest in a teapot next to the possibility I am about to suggest. Imagine if the government actively copied all of this info and photos. Run it all through facial recognition software such as been used to locate "terror suspects" and just think how easy it would be for a government to find naybody at any time and anywhere. And track someone if the image shows up frequently enough!
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-12-02 00:21
    There is a big difference with saying that Android is doing that and that the manufacturer or subscription services are adding this.

    Android is essentially a good OS and ASUS is seeing the EEEpad Transformer growing in popularity as it additionally provides a keyboard when wanted to an iPad form factor.

    These situations exist because different players want to sell consumer info to others. But the method is just an application It is not like having a Blue Tooth or GPS installed that might be snooped by the government and others. You can likely shut off and/or remove the application that offends you. Even a rootkit can be overwritten in some cases.

    It seems the USA has mandated that all cell phone must have GPS. That makes life wonderful for law enforcement that wants to track criminals, but it opens the door to have hackers track you down wherever
    you go. It doesn't really matter what you buy, you have to be aware of what you don't want and avoid it.

    CarrierIQ seems to be the offending party, not Android. I purchased a Toshiba netbook and the added all sorts of garbage to W7, do I blame MS or Toshiba?
  • TorTor Posts: 2,010
    edited 2011-12-02 01:56
    Just use a 3party, stand-alone Android version. There's one well-known good one out there, starts with a colour name.. they're even sponsored by certain big phone vendors (those vendor's proprietary versions are pretty bad compared to the 3party one, and they realise this). My phone is certainly behaving much better. It's much faster and uses less battery. And I can easily revoke permissions for individual applications, e.g. deny them access to my contacts list or for accessing the phone part itself.

    -Tor
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