Concerned About Apps: Privacy & Control

[Oso]

I am astounded by the amount of personal information and control that some Apps require.

For example:

Associated Press

Why do they need my phone number? Why do they need access to

-Hardward controls (take pictures)

-System tools

-Phone calls (read phone state and identity)

-Storage (modify/delete SD card contents)

Or how about the Weather Channel

-Services that cost you money (directly call phone numbers)

-System tools (change network connectivity, change your UI settings)

What exactly do these type of permissions mean? Is there somewhere where permissions are discussed in detail along with how the app developer intends to use information collected.

I don't intend to load apps that require so much access to my device and my info unless I get a better idea of how access and information is used.

Can anyone offer further explanation?

Thanks.

[woyala]

"Open Source" and besides, google always spies on you!!!

[MrHacks]

It's not because it is "open source". The Open source part does have it's advantages...like telling you that this app will do those things. (Imagine all the dastardly things that iPhone users are unaware about.  Or even regular computer users!)

The Associated Press has been severely jeered about their apps, and the fact that they've applied DRM to their news. (You are better off going to the Yahoo! news website, although I have wondered why I can't really access the Huffington Post from my browser.)

The Weather Channel has always charged for using their services over the telephone. (They even had a 1-900 phone number...why someone hasn't played a prank on this hot line by complaining that it wasn't the Hustler Hotline is beyond me.)  However, their free Desktop Weather application they had back in the earily 2000s was great as it would set off an alarm if a severe weather bulletin was issued for the area.

Eventually, newer apps by other developers will no try intrude as much.

On the subject of weather apps, which app do I need to display the current temperature in the title bar?