Facebook can now read your texts • Hacker News Board

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#141

Post by omaranto » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:09 PM UTC

retroafroman wrote: post #46

simonsarris wrote: post #3

Is there any recourse short of "don't use the app" that regular users have against this sort of thing? Is there no meaningful way to push back against Facebook for demanding this permission?

I uninstalled the app and put a bookmark to the mobile site on my homescreen instead (like the old days before app stores). It's slightly slower, but on a Nexus 4, it's still fast enough I don't mind. They've improved the mobile interface since the early iPhone days.

I remember that a couple of years ago the mobile website was actually noticeably faster than the app, at least on iOS, and gave you access to more features. Back then I kept the app around just to upload photos, but used the mobile site for everything else.

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#142

Post by pxndx » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:09 PM UTC

martius wrote: post #110

bentcorner wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This FB app is what you're looking for: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.danvelazco...

What's the difference with using a browser bookmark?

It has menu options to go directly to your news feed, the top of the page, notifications and preferences, so it makes browsing the mobile page easier. It also saves the facebook cookies so you don't have to type your user and password every time you want log in.

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#143

Post by viach » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:11 PM UTC

Which leads me to question - can HN read my posts?

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#144

Post by aestra » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:14 PM UTC

maxr0 wrote: post #24

kevinmchugh wrote: post #2

At this point I'm running at least 2 versions behind on the facebook app. I didn't install it last time it asked me to allow it to "Send emails to guests [of events] without host's knowledge" among other things. I see now that they also want to be able to connect and disconnect from WiFi. The Facebook app is probably the fastest way to find a list of all permissions in the Android system. "Draw over other apps", "Rea…

"draw over other apps" is to implement chat heads (see http://www.piwai.info/chatheads-basics/ )

Wait so when you get a facebook message it just bam takes over your screen?

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#145

Post by skj » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:22 PM UTC

blueskin_ wrote: post #109

Maakuth wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

According to Google [1], it was never meant to ship at that point as it was not ready for general public. There was some compatibility problems with many applications, so that is somewhat believable. [1] http://www.dailytech.com/Google+Removes+App+Ops+Privacy+Cont...

Of course, they have to spin it some way, because they're years past the point they could be honest and believed. I think it's more likely one google engineer wanted to resist the constant invasion of privacy and likely ended up paying with his job.

"more likely one google engineer wanted to resist the constant invasion of privacy"

One engineer can't launch a product alone. Just isn't possible unless its under a personal name.

"and likely ended up paying with his job."

0% chance.

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#146

Post by computerbob » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:28 PM UTC

StavrosK wrote: post #115

blueskin_ wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It used to be, called App Ops. It was in for (one?) point release before google promptly withdrew it again after realising that giving people tools to protect their privacy goes against their mission.

They didn't really withdraw it, they just hid it better. I downloaded App Ops X and it still works fine on 4.4.whatever.

Do you have a link to the google play store? I tried to find it and couldn't. I would love to download it.

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#147

Post by zrgiu_ » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:30 PM UTC

Like others have said, on Android you can use App Ops, and if you're on 4.4.2, App Ops X ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.colortiger... disclaimer: I developed it). It still sucks that you're on an "open" platform but you still have to root/jailbreak your phone to keep your privacy.

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#148

Post by blisterpeanuts » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:39 PM UTC

I just use the web app, when I use FB at all. The value/intrusiveness ratio is pretty low.

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#149

Post by desas » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 12:59 PM UTC

auxbuss wrote: post #87

victorhooi wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Err, yes, but on any modern version of Android, Google Hangouts is the SMS app - so I thing that's a bit of a red herring, and completely unrelated.

I'm not sure why you consider that a red herring. You can disable Hangouts and Android will fall back to the standard Messaging app.

The standard messaging app isn't installed by default on modern android phones (nexus 5). You can of course install 3rd party messaging apps.

Re: Facebook can now read your texts

#150

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Jan 28, 2014, 1:21 PM UTC

JohnTHaller wrote: post #37

comex wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. And of course no app can read your text messages in the first place there.

Well, they could read all that other stuff by default with no warning previously until all sorts of apps abused it. Then Apple had to add in the prompts for things like reading Contacts. I'd imagine the Android devs are working on similar since the list of permissions model is breaking down.

[deleted]