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Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

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Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#171

Post by cousin_it »

bitcartel wrote: post #107
crazygringo wrote: post #34

How about another detail -- the fact that the message said the user had photos to share, when he didn't? There's annoying spam, and then there's straight-out-lying spam -- the "x has sent you a message, you need to create an account to view it" type. Just curious, is there a way to sue/fine a company like this for false advertising, essentially?

We need to nip this in the bud. Maybe it's time to create a Hippocratic Oath for developers to publicly commit to? A future Path developer could then refuse to implement an unethical "feature" by pointing out that the company had hired them with the full knowledge that the oath had been undertaken. I don't think the company would pink slip the developer, as they would probably want to avoid any attention being drawn…

Hippocratic Oath for developers? Here's a nice post from 2005 on this exact topic: http://glyf.livejournal.com/46589.html . Choice quote:

> Who would knowingly submit themselves to a doctor, knowing that they might give you a secondary, curable disease, just to ensure they got paid?

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#173

Post by HNaTTY »

schabernakk wrote: post #135

I was considering joining path with 4, 5 of my closest friends to have some kind of 'private facebook'. I don't really like sharing stuff on twitter/facebook so path seemed like a good alternative to share stuff with people i definately know will be interested. After reading this I don't think I will join anytime soon. I don't really get the reasoning behind this. Path is marketed for the use case I had in mind. Shar…

Internet Relay Chat (I'm into simple solutions)

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#174

Post by jessriedel »

JonnieCache wrote: post #105
skytalon wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just noticed, in that apology letter, the line: "... Your trust matters to us and we want you to feel completely in control of your information on Path. ..." So they want you to feel in control.

This kind of thing sits alongside "it is important that justice is seen to be done" in my list of phrases that will preclude you from being taken at face value ever again.

Kind of. In law, actual justice is obviously the top priority, but it's also important for social stability and the effectiveness of the courts that justice appear to be done. (Otherwise, people may not respect court decisions even when they are just, etc.) Luckily, these two properties are usually complimentary. Given actual justice, the appearance of justice usually follows through transparency and the like.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#175

Post by Samuel_Michon »

clauretano wrote: post #71
vegashacker wrote: post #59

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 Andr…

Apple added this feature after the previous privacy gaffe from Path. Still though, there's a legitimate use case for asking for your contacts, and it is to help connect you with people you may know who are also on path. You also give them access to your photos to share things on Path, but there would be an uproar if they started uploading all of your photos to their servers. I'm not really seeing any good way to solv…

“Apple added this feature after the previous privacy gaffe from Path.”

Yup, here’s an article about it, from February of last year: http://allthingsd.com/20120215/apple-app-access-to-contact-d...

However, according to Apple, even before iOS6 came along (which asks permission whenever an app requests access to Contacts) it had already been against Apple’s dev guidelines to use Contacts info without users’ permission:

“You and Your Applications may not collect user or device data without prior user consent, and then only to provide a service or function that is directly relevant to the use of the Application, or to serve advertising. You may not use analytics software in Your Application to collect and send device data to a third party.”

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#176

Post by dcpdx »

schabernakk wrote: post #135

I was considering joining path with 4, 5 of my closest friends to have some kind of 'private facebook'. I don't really like sharing stuff on twitter/facebook so path seemed like a good alternative to share stuff with people i definately know will be interested. After reading this I don't think I will join anytime soon. I don't really get the reasoning behind this. Path is marketed for the use case I had in mind. Shar…

I use GroupMe; although it isn't laid out as "beautifully" as Path is, it's simple to use and you can share photos pretty effortlessly. I don't think it has as many bells and whistles as Path (I installed it once but then ended up deleting it because the utility was near zero) but it works great to have an ongoing conversation with a gorup of buddies. The thing I love about GroupMe is that you can create new groups and add different people according to the situation at hand; it's awesome for concerts, festivals, and shared events to keep track of everyone. The downsides are it doesn't have the longevity of something like a Path, and it's a battery HOG...make sure to turn off Push notifications or you're going to have a bad time. Also just to disclose, I don't work for GroupMe so not a corporate plug. I've also heard What's App is great although I've never used it myself.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#177

Post by blocke »

maxcan wrote: post #64

I'm sure this will be downvoted to hell and back, but still: http://jesuschristsiliconvalley.tumblr.com/post/46539276780/...

And here I was busy thinking "Wow. If Path is doing crap like this than that post about the founder being a douchebag must be 100% correct." Congrats on being even more obnoxious than Facebook.

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#179

Post by obviouslygreen »

randrews wrote: post #143
tlogan wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I completely agree with you on "If your company can't exist without being shitty, your company shouldn't exist.". However, here in VC-stanm the behavior like this is considered "hacking the growth" and something which is not considered a bad thing. So unfortunately, you cannot play the game here (ok, you can play but no big money will bet on you) if you not ready to do things like this.

Shitty behavior also does not stop being shitty behavior when you're pressured into doing it.

I'm all for the moral high ground, but it becomes a lot less simple when "pressured" means something like a combination of "sole breadwinner" and "ethical choice." Reality doesn't bend to our idealism, and businesses are grounded solely in reality (often to our detriment).

Re: Path texts my entire phonebook at 6 AM

#180

Post by pullo »

uptown wrote: post #60

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.

I was thinking the same thing. Path's UI design is notable and i wanted to keep tabs on it , as an engineer. Looks like the curiosity is not worth it.
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