NZ Herald Android App wants excessive permissions

Forums › Android › NZ Herald Android App wants excessive permissions

ajobbins

Awesome
4845 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1099

Trusted

Subscriber

# 139240 1-Feb-2014 20:53

Last night I saw that I had a pending app update for the NZ Herald app on my android.

Going into the update, NZ Herald seems to be asking for some pretty excessive access to my personal data, without any explanation about why. The update 'whats new' simply says "Bug fixes and app enhancements", with no suggestions about what 'enhancements' actually need that data for.

I'm hoping it's a simple mistake on the part of the application developers, however for a news app to request access to my contact and my browser history is fishy to say the least.

I've removed the app from my phone rather than update. I'll use their mobile website from now on until they can either remove the requirement for accessing my personal info, or give me a damn good reason why they need it and plan to protect it.

Something for other users of the app to think about anyway

Twitter: ajobbins

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

19282 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2600
Inactive user

# 978663 1-Feb-2014 21:00

That is why I removed it

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 470

Trusted

# 978669 1-Feb-2014 21:17

Jesus, just a bit intrusive. Hope you left a review to that effect before uninstalling!

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

linw

2009 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 417

Subscriber

# 978673 1-Feb-2014 21:26

Appalling, but they are not alone. Most apps want far too many rights for my liking.

ajobbins

Awesome
4845 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1099

Trusted

Subscriber

# 978676 1-Feb-2014 21:29

NZtechfreak: Jesus, just a bit intrusive. Hope you left a review to that effect before uninstalling!

Sure did! And I am part way through writing an email to the privacy commissioner now.

I believe APN have failed in their privacy obligations here by being sketchy about obtaining data with no assurance it's protected.

Twitter: ajobbins

Batman

Mad Scientist
20471 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2792

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

# 978680 1-Feb-2014 21:35

install app ops :D

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

ajobbins

Awesome
4845 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1099

Trusted

Subscriber

# 978683 1-Feb-2014 21:38

joker97: install app ops :D

I'm on Android 4.4.2 - no can do (and besides the point)

Twitter: ajobbins

Wade

2210 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 366

# 978696 1-Feb-2014 22:09

Hmm, will uninstall, have had wakelocks today coincidentally after this and a few other apps undated

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 470

Trusted

# 978697 1-Feb-2014 22:18

Wade: Hmm, will uninstall, have had wakelocks today coincidentally after this and a few other apps undated

Wakelocks too?! I have a generally low opinion of the Herald already, but this...

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

Wade

2210 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 366

# 978703 1-Feb-2014 22:30

NZtechfreak:
Wade: Hmm, will uninstall, have had wakelocks today coincidentally after this and a few other apps undated

Wakelocks too?! I have a generally low opinion of the Herald already, but this...

I have't investigated as Better Battery stats is no longer working for me after upgrading to 4.4 (broke SU and haven't bothered to resolve) but today android battery history shows solid awake all day. More likely to be FaceBook beta app as it also updated and sounds like a more plausible result

chris021

205 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

Trusted

# 978705 1-Feb-2014 22:38

2 people support this post

I also hate how the herald mobile site is always asking for location.... it doesn't seem to actually change the content..

Coil

6615 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2293
Inactive user

# 978708 1-Feb-2014 23:04

The app is terrible regardless, Uninstalled today and submitted a complaint to the herald and also on facebook like John plus privacy commissioner.

mattwnz

14966 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2046

# 978712 1-Feb-2014 23:13

Some of the NZ news sites are apparently putting up paywalls this year, so free access via aps will likely be coming to an end anyway. I find it a far better experience just to view the website. Most are mobile ready anyway, so the app is a bit of a waste of space. Plus it crashes so often. The privacy stuff is another issue, but I guess as long as they are asking permission. But 99% of people I think don't check the permissions, as app updates are often done in bulk.

shk292

1705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 943

# 978738 2-Feb-2014 08:33

I was a bit shocked by these new permissions too - uninstalled and suitable review posted

Dingbatt

3899 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 908

Lifetime subscriber

# 978744 2-Feb-2014 08:51

I have gone the "App Ops" route. My reaction when the permission popup happened was no.....way. Only apps that provide a specific reason for a permission change in their "what's new" section are even considered these days, and even then I select most off using AO.
As for the Herald itself (or the peoples voice as i usually refer to it as) I am currently a subscriber, but am finding it increasingly difficult to justify. If they erect a paywall and expect me to pay extra for online content, then it will probably have the opposite effect, and I will cancel everything.

Areas of Geek interest: Home Theatre, HTPC, Android Tablets & Phones, iProducts.

Batman

Mad Scientist
20471 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2792

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

# 978767 2-Feb-2014 09:45

I use a very old version of world newspapers (2.7.1) which was the last version that was ad free.

Videos don't work but you can stream any version (full mobile lite) of any newspaper in the world

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5