Popular Google Play store apps are abusing permissions and committing ad fraud

Post by pjc50 » Thu, Apr 18, 2019, 8:24 AM UTC

codedokode wrote: post #86

43920 wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem with early 2000's-style software delivery wasn't that you could choose which software to install, it was that there was no separation between programs, so that any random program you installed could add toolbars to your browser, steal all your passwords, etc. If iOS or Android made it easier to install apps outside the store, I highly doubt you'd see anywhere near the same level of problems, since everyth…

> it was that there was no separation between programs, so that any random program you installed could add toolbars to your browser, steal all your passwords, etc. And for Linux or Windows this is still true.

Post by tremon » Thu, Apr 18, 2019, 8:44 AM UTC

DarwinMailApp wrote: post #94

rayraegah wrote: post #15

It's not just ad fraud, they've been copying information like whatsapp phone number, reddit username, telegram username etc. https://www.reddit.com/r/miband/comments/8eqtve/why_did_mifi...

I actually can't believe this. How in the name of all the is holy are we letting them get away with this. Sure, we talk about the problem a lot. But we need to take action. It seems every big corporation are abusing the trust we give them in some form or another. Please, for the love of God, can anybody prove me wrong. Are there any companies than don't abuse our trust?

Post by lotsofpulp » Thu, Apr 18, 2019, 9:12 AM UTC

tremon wrote: post #103

DarwinMailApp wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually can't believe this. How in the name of all the is holy are we letting them get away with this. Sure, we talk about the problem a lot. But we need to take action. It seems every big corporation are abusing the trust we give them in some form or another. Please, for the love of God, can anybody prove me wrong. Are there any companies than don't abuse our trust?

Microsoft, for all their other flaws, usually keeps out of the business of selling their consumers. Perhaps it's because they have better (internal) monetization possibilities.

Post by oblio » Thu, Apr 18, 2019, 9:30 AM UTC

Kiro wrote: post #77

gameswithgo wrote: post #7

the locked in store model has completely failed. both for ios and android it is a terrible experience compared to PC. you are stuck with only the search tools the hardware maker gives you, often designed in a user hostile way (ios brings up ads) and no way to bail out to a different store. as well the monoculture leads to a race to the bottom with garbage programs shoving their way to the top via misleading a dishone…

> compared to PC How is Steam or Windows Store any different? How do you install apps/games on PC?

Post by pergadad » Thu, Apr 18, 2019, 9:39 AM UTC

gyaniv wrote: post #99

I'm not entirely sure I have that much of a problem with ad fraud, doesn't it only hurt the ad companies and companies like google (which I have a problem with anyway), by basically scamming them into believing that I interacted so that company should be compensated. I do object to collecting and sending my personal information, but I feel they just mixed it, as that probably relates to more then just these Chinese a…