Live data from Hacker News

Uber wants access to browsing history, bookmarks, and running apps

reddit.com

141–150 of 257 posts

Re: Uber wants access to browsing history, bookmarks, and running apps

#143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> system is broken and UI is confusing, protect nothing from user even if working right. > leave system broken but hide UI so nobody cares. hopefully, it is just incompetence, not evil.

When it comes to Uber, I think the default is to assume malice unless we can prove it is incompetence.

GP was talking about the Android permissions system, not Uber.

Re: Uber wants access to browsing history, bookmarks, and running apps

#145
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sure that you'd be happy to provide them access to your house in order to "improve the functionality of the application".

Luckily, the real world is not modeled after Android's legacy permissions system. Your actual point?

[deleted]

Re: Uber wants access to browsing history, bookmarks, and running apps

#146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People sure love to throw out the shill card without providing any proof.

Perhaps, but the comments are a bit silly given what the parent poster says: 60% of Android users are affected by this. Why do Uber need that permission in the first place? What exactly are they doing with the permissions that are granted?

They want to black-box your mind, of course ;)

Re: Uber wants access to browsing history, bookmarks, and running apps

#147
post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd venture to guess the number is likely closer to 99.9999%

Right. I remember hearing from somebody about Google Now recently. The guy was happy that it reminds him of bills etc., added that it even gets the amount and due date from the "emails" and "reminds". Frankly, a vast majority (99.99%+) don't care.

By "don't care," you mean, "are extremely delighted when Google reminds them to pay a bill on time and avoid a late fee."

Re: Uber wants access to browsing history, bookmarks, and running apps

#148
post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's so they can quickly switch between the most recently used maps application like Waze or Google Maps for drivers.

Please don’t state speculation as fact.

What makes you think they don't/didn't work for Uber? Seems a bit speculative to me.

Re: Uber wants access to browsing history, bookmarks, and running apps

#149
I believe the browser history lookup doesn't work anymore (I tried recently on 5.0 I believe). Also, many of the Android permissions are unecessarily broad, I think that really would be a good thing to fix. Oftentimes you only need some specific function, but have to request a much broader range.

Re: Uber wants access to browsing history, bookmarks, and running apps

#150
post #149

I believe the browser history lookup doesn't work anymore (I tried recently on 5.0 I believe). Also, many of the Android permissions are unecessarily broad, I think that really would be a good thing to fix. Oftentimes you only need some specific function, but have to request a much broader range.

Examples? (Especially any for browsing history, bookmarks, or running apps.)
Post reply on HN