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Facebook allegedly skirts Google Play store with latest update

engadget.com

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Re: Facebook allegedly skirts Google Play store with latest update

#2

Post by duaneb »

I know this is commonplace on desktops, but it really freaks me out on my phone. Especially with Facebook's track record of, say, going through my contacts and adding the facebook "email" (which nobody in their right mind would use over a real email system), consistently (but technically legally) violating my privacy, and enabling opt-out "features" that are usually unasked for and unwanted.

In short, Facebook is the last app I would want auto-updating.

EDIT: I realize you can refuse the update, but what's the point? It doesn't look like you can see what has changed.

Re: Facebook allegedly skirts Google Play store with latest update

#5

Post by [deleted] »

duaneb wrote: post #2

I know this is commonplace on desktops, but it really freaks me out on my phone. Especially with Facebook's track record of, say, going through my contacts and adding the facebook "email" (which nobody in their right mind would use over a real email system), consistently (but technically legally) violating my privacy, and enabling opt-out "features" that are usually unasked for and unwanted. In short, Facebook is the…

[deleted]

Re: Facebook allegedly skirts Google Play store with latest update

#6

Post by jamesaguilar »

I like the idea, but I wish that they would do something about the Android app. It's supposed to be on par with the iPhone app, but I have found it to be much slower, and a lot of the internal links and notifications seem to take me to non-existent pages. On top of that, it seems like no matter what my actual network state, I occasionally see "Network error" at the top of the page before it actually does anything.

Re: Facebook allegedly skirts Google Play store with latest update

#7

Post by nekgrim »

Isn't it what Amazon Market do? Downloading the apk, and notifying you that an update is ready?

But you have to allow untrusted sources installation in the security menu, and still have the installation screen (left screenshot in the article).

I don't see a problem, some games are downloading and updating their files too. If you don't trust the app, use FB website.

Re: Facebook allegedly skirts Google Play store with latest update

#8

Post by sp332 »

ishansharma wrote: post #4

Why does this make big headlines? Does it somehow violate Google's Terms and Conditions or is it something that hasn't been done before? P.S. I am not an Android user, so I might be unaware of obvious benefits/harms.

This might be unexpected, but I can't see how it would violate any ToS. Google explicitly allows alternative app stores and side-loading apps. Even apps sold through the play store often have in-app purchases which significantly change the app functionality.

I think changing permissions after being installed is pretty odd. Other than that, this has been done before. The Battle for Wesnoth app is just a wrapper that downloads the real game after you install it.

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