If the app checked what other apps were installed and used that data locally, no big deal. Calling home with private user data is evil.
“We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
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Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#12One more reason I'm glad I don't use the official Twitter app. I highly recommend Twidere.
Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#13"App graph". Something about that phrase makes it sound even sneakier, like an innocuous technical thing that has nothing to do with people. Nothing to see here. Just an app graph. I think I will build a social network where your profile pic is a split screen of your headshot and your exposed genitals. You will use your real name, home address, and cell phone number, and frequently upload your credit card statements.…
So basically just a frontend to Experian?
Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#14Notice how they casually slip in "..and occasionally updating". This means that Twitter now has a nice list of all apps on your Mobile via the malicious Twitter app that snoops on your phone.
They get to then sell this info to advertisers so that they can tailor their "tweets" to you.
And Twitter is a relatively good citizen as far as apps go. Just imagine what other apps who don't care where their next buck comes from are capable of...truly scary stuff.
Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#15If the app checked what other apps were installed and used that data locally, no big deal. Calling home with private user data is evil.
I'm trying to think of a scenario wherein an app would wholesale collect all other installed apps for local use. Querying for specific capability via the existence of an app or URL handler, maybe. But iterating all installed apps?
Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#16The majority of Twitter's revenue comes from mobile ads, and app install ads are a major component of that major component. Knowing what apps you do or don't have installed allows them to better target app install ads, and I imagine that's the reason for collecting this data.
So, if you don't have Clash of Clans installed, they can show you a Clash of Clans ad. If do you have Clash of Clans installed, they can then prompt you to reengage with it, or suggest other apps you're likely to install on the basis of your having shown an interest in games.
Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#17Please leave a comment on the app store. That is the only way these companies will learn to not snoop on their users:
iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/twitter/id333903271?mt=8
Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.twitter.an...
Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#18[deleted]
Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#19Why do iOS and Android give apps this data in the first place? Mobile apps will invariably abuse any trust granted to them, so platforms should just stop granting any more trust than necessary.
Re: “We are only collecting the list of applications you have installed.”
#20Ironically, currently a few entries away from this article on HN, there's this one [1] about iHasApp that has shut down due to "using public APIs in a manner not prescribed by Apple".