Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM • Hacker News Board

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#51

Post by kalleboo » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:42 PM UTC

eksith wrote: post #11

Remember when a while back they downloaded far too much information from each phone (for the convenience of connecting you to people)? Everyone was surprised (some outraged) and then they pushed an update to stop that "feature" and when the CEO/Boss man posted a blog entry apologizing, everyone forgave the company, people were holding hands singing Kumbaya. Edit: Here's when they flubbed a year ago. http://news.cnet.…

They just had to pay a $800,000 fine for that stunt http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/02/path.shtm

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#52

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:44 PM UTC

sailfast wrote: post #10

I have been a Path user since the app launched and have never had any text messages sent to my address book. Path informed users that the address book data hook was no longer there and that all data had been removed from their services after the initial FTC inquiry. I took that at face value but after this article I would be interested in hearing a response from the company about how my information is handled.

[deleted]

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#53

Post by jen_h » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:45 PM UTC

nwh wrote: post #17

evan_ wrote: post #2

The weirdest part of this is that it apparently made voice calls to landlines? Why would they do that, it makes no sense. Unless maybe that's what the phone company does if you text a landline? Never tried it but I would be surprised...

Various API that let you send SMS will make a call if the SMS can't be delivered, and then use text-to-speech to read the thing out to you. It's fairly obnoxious really.

And some, like Telia in Sweden, will keep calling until you listen to a certain percentage of the message to helpfully ensure that you've gotten the message. Which is loads of fun if, for example, someone sends you a link with a UUID--you basically have to pull the phone off the hook and let it finish before you stop receiving the calls.

(You can also contact your phone company and ask them to please remove this "feature" - but usually you have to be subjected to it before you know the phone company even does this!)

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#54

Post by orangethirty » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:46 PM UTC

I actually got a text from them at around 1am not long ago. A friend opened up an account and they spammed everyone on her contacts list. She is an iOS user. I'm nost against tactics like these, but you have to do this correctly. Or else you alienate your user base and their contacts. I, for one, now tell people to steer clear from path.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#55

Post by soneca » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:48 PM UTC

Growth hackers also wear black hats.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#56

Post by apike » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:50 PM UTC

claudius wrote: post #32

gcv wrote: post #15

Could this just have been a good old-fashioned programming bug, rather than spamming or malicious intent?

How could this possibly be a programming bug?

Of course it was a bug. It seems clear to me they were experimenting with some texting functionality where Path would notify users of things, it made it to production with bugs, and some subset of users got this terrible behaviour.

Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#57

Post by quarterto » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:52 PM UTC

evan_ wrote: post #2

The weirdest part of this is that it apparently made voice calls to landlines? Why would they do that, it makes no sense. Unless maybe that's what the phone company does if you text a landline? Never tried it but I would be surprised...

At least BT do this for texts to landlines in the UK. When it was first launched, they used Tom Baker's voice. It was an amazing few weeks.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#58

Post by jonny_eh » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:52 PM UTC

gcv wrote: post #15

Could this just have been a good old-fashioned programming bug, rather than spamming or malicious intent?

Even if that's true, it's a pretty awful bug. I'm not aware of FB or Google ever doing something like this.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#59

Post by vegashacker » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:53 PM UTC

On iOS, Apple made it so the app has to get permission to access the phone book. (Interestingly, Google Image search turned up this for a query of "ios address book permission": http://i.stack.imgur.com/MHF0p.jpg)

Did OP give this permission? I'm not defending Path (at all!), just trying to get full details. I've in fact accidentally given address book permission to apps by tapping too fast.

Update: OP is using Android, which is different.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#60

Post by uptown » Tue, Apr 30, 2013, 4:54 PM UTC

I'd held off uninstalling Path because it was well-designed and I always liked checking out their new UI enhancements when they'd roll out an update. Though, apparently they've already got my address book - the app is no longer on my device. Enough.