Store apps should ask before calling home [answered]
asked 2014-01-06 09:31:48 +0200
As I browsed the Jolla store today, I noticed at least two apps (Wikipedia and a flashlight) whose comments mentioned calling home to gather statistics. This is allowed, but in my opinion the user should be advised the first time e.g. "this app will send usage statistics to... allow / refuse?". Not telling may appear suspicious despite the harmlessness of the calling home itself.
Reworded after my initial outburst (sorry!)
Calling home is allowed in apps. As long as you dont steal the private data. Having said that I'll have to check what data it sends to home... As a quick browse on flashlight sources, it only sends statistics from application usage itself, and doesn't steal for example your contacs db.
rainisto ( 2014-01-06 13:40:50 +0200 )editin many EU countries the privacy laws require the user specifically authorize data collection of information stored on his device - be it only the phone ID. In my country is a criminal action to gather user data without its explicit consent, that is what flashlight app did. (cont)
c.la ( 2014-01-21 00:14:20 +0200 )editAnd Jolla, being the app distributor, may be considered a cooperative party to that. I don't want to go that far myself, but you should be very very careful with apps collecting user data without explicit consent.
c.la ( 2014-01-21 00:16:09 +0200 )editDo you mean this http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-08/google-data-chief-says-flawed-eu-privacy-law-is-dead.html or the infameous "EU Cookie directive"? Have you allowed google search to store your cookies, and asked your query if you allow it? Like the EU directive law says?
rainisto ( 2014-01-21 00:29:29 +0200 )edit@c.la and flashlight app did not gather user data. Afaik it gathered usage data (not any data stored on the device). So please don't mix up the terms.
rainisto ( 2014-01-21 00:30:31 +0200 )edit