How to delete TVNZ ondemand app?

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pakaraki

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#147379 17-Jun-2014 20:23

The TVNZ ondemand suddenly appeared in the updates list on my S3 phone. I didn't ask for this to be installed. In the permissions, it wants to be able to monitor my phone calls (to determine whether a call is active and the remote number connected). I don't want this app to monitor my calls.

But there doesn't seem to be any way in play store or application manager to remove or disable this app. From searching around, it appears this app may have been force installed by Samsung.

I think this is a very bad move by TVNZ / Samsung and an invasion of privacy. Why should a TV streaming app need to monitor my phone calls?

How can I remove, uninstall or disable this app?

TIA

Peter

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1067866 17-Jun-2014 20:31

You need to root the handset to remove it

mattwnz

20155 posts

Uber Geek

#1067868 17-Jun-2014 20:34

Contact TVNz and see what their story is.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1067872 17-Jun-2014 20:42

You can always disable the app under manage applications

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1067873 17-Jun-2014 20:43

Just double check first that this isn't a side effect of Google's simplified permissions project. It's possible that in the extended permissions that the installed App shows via Settings->Applications shows only requesting Device ID & State (i.e. are you in a call, not remote party numbers), but the Play Store has lumped it into the new broader category.

I'm not a SGS 3+ owner so I can't check sorry.

Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1067875 17-Jun-2014 20:46

At a guess. Regional advertising by area code, and to be able to pause/suspend when there is an incoming call

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1067876 17-Jun-2014 20:48

nigelj: Just double check first that this isn't a side effect of Google's simplified permissions project. It's possible that in the extended permissions that the installed App shows via Settings->Applications shows only requesting Device ID & State (i.e. are you in a call, not remote party numbers), but the Play Store has lumped it into the new broader category.

I'm not a SGS 3+ owner so I can't check sorry.

Since someone replied, I decided best not to edit:

Follow the steps instructed in https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/6014972?hl=en to get the old permission list to make sure that it can't access call data - BUT it won't prompt if they sliently add the ability to grab it in the future, because you agreed in the 'simplified prompt'.

To review individual permissions and groups used by the latest version of an app available on the Play Store:

Open the Play Store app.
Go to an app's detail page.
Scroll down to “Additional Information”.
Select View details.

(Instructions untested)

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1067877 17-Jun-2014 20:48

Samsung Bloatware.

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Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1067878 17-Jun-2014 20:49

Yep. Advanced permission properties:

ability to read/write storage for cache
'read phone status and identity'
view network connections

nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1067884 17-Jun-2014 20:54

Oblivian: Yep. Advanced permission properties:

ability to read/write storage for cache
'read phone status and identity'
view network connections

That is the normal 'okay' set that just allow the app to pause playback if the ringer sounds/inbound call comes through, but be warned... the Simplified permissions allow for 'bad things' to sneak in under the radar (see http://www.fixedbyvonnie.com/2014/06/afraid-changes-google-made-play-store/ for a decent example)

Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1067885 17-Jun-2014 20:54

And it appears to be because they changed platform from samsung apps drawer, to playstore.

v1 on samsung app store (will stop working soon), 1.1 on playstore

muppet

2568 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1067913 17-Jun-2014 21:26

I have it installed, but just to be safe I email TVNZ every day with a last of calls and texts I've made that day.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1067917 17-Jun-2014 21:30

muppet: I have it installed, but just to be safe I email TVNZ every day with a last of calls and texts I've made that day.

Can you fwd on mine as well please?

pakaraki

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1071979 22-Jun-2014 08:54

So, it turns out that the app is in application manager, but under a different name (the "TVNZ ondemand" app is called "ondemand") which is why I didn't see it earlier. In application manager, it can be disabled, but not removed.

I still don't like Samsung / TVNZ putting apps on my phone without asking me first, especially when it wants to monitor my phone calls.

Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1072099 22-Jun-2014 16:58

You would prefer it kept playing the video at listening volume out the speaker and continue to do so when your phone rings and you answer a call?

Cause that's what its needed for.

Our of curiosity, has anyone actually confirmed this is a forced push app, or is it simply finding people with the install done previously from samsung store or via the APK people released and updating it from the new platform, being playstore

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1072122 22-Jun-2014 17:48

I do find it annoying when un-deletable apps that aren't integral to the use of the phone are added, without permission, during firmware updates.

Samsung added a bunch of these (including TVNZ) when they pushed out an android update to my handset. I have them all disabled, so at least they don't appear anywhere any more, but they still sit on the phone chewing up storage etc.

Presumably they are paid by the app vendors to push this junk? I think I may abandon the galaxy range (even though I love the hardware) and go with something like a Nexus, or other model that offers straightforward un-bastardised stock android sans bloatware, as my next phone.