So
my Android facebook app started nagging me about an upgrade. I see no
reason to do this as there is nothing wrong with my previous version.
But I was intrigued. Most of the changes seem to be access rights to
my phone which I feel they have no need, or right, to know.
- Here is an incomplete listing – It should horrify anyone who reads it.
- Read your text messages. – So essentially, if you have ever sent or plan to sent any personal or confidential texts, Zuckerburg can now read them.
- Allow the application AT ANY TIME to collect images and video the camera is seeing. This is just downright scary.
- Allow the application to access the audio record path (i.e. turn on and listen to your microphone.) Are they planning to go into the blackmail business?
- Send email to guests without owners knowledge or permission. There should be no reason why they need to do this.
- Read calendar events, (including those of your friends and co-workers) your profile data, (and this bit is really disturbing)…your confidential information
- Read (and / or modify) ALL your profile data and optionally send your profile data to unspecified others.
- Read ALL the contact data stored in your phone. So if I install this I am giving facebook YOUR information. How do you feel about that?
- Modify or delete (and by implication read,) your USB storage contents.
- Use your phone (without your permission) to directly call phone numbers even if that service costs you money.
- Read Google service configuration. Discover and manage all your other accounts including password data. It can even create new accounts.
According
to facebook 500,000,000 people have already downloaded this app. In
an age where every piece of information about you has an associated
dollar value – does anyone have any idea what this is worth?
