stuff app permissions seem broad for a news app

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jlittle

147 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#151720 2-Sep-2014 23:54

An update to stuff came through, and it wants access to

my location
Photos/Media/Files "Uses one or more of files on the device such as images, videos or audio, the device's external storage
Camera/Microphone
Wi-Fi connection information, including "the names of connection Wi-Fi devices"
Device ID & Call information "Allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call".

A bit much for a news app, especially that last one; why should stuff know who I'm talking too?

Or am I being naive?

l43a2

1746 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1120911 3-Sep-2014 00:38

the problem with permissions on Android is now google has "grouped them together" so the device ID might be the only thing stuff takes for statistical purposes but its lumped in the same group as caller info so you think they are actually using that part of the permission when they most likely aren't. the ASB app is also the same with its interesting permission needs. but they did clear it up on which permissions they are using.

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nigelj

856 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1120912 3-Sep-2014 00:40

Just a note, these are the overly simplified permissions that Google are displaying now.

Looking at the full list I see:

Location
- precise (GPS) location
- approximate (network-based) location
Photos/Media/Files
- read the contents of your USB storage
- modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera/Microphone
- take pictures & videos
Wi-Fi Info
- view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & Call info
- read phone status & identity
Other
- full network access
- connect & disconnect from Wi-Fi
- view network connections

So for a news app, I'd go with:

Location: Provide local weather/news as an option
Photos/Media/Files: Caching off-device
Camera/Mic: Does the app have a 'report news as it happens'/'tipline' feature? (or maybe a barcode reader)
WiFi-Info + Other categories: It might offer to connect to Wi-Fi if your network is off for some reason (thought it could trigger the Android intents without asking for these permissions though)
Device ID & Call Info: As it's only state info, it's the usual "pause videos if phone rings, etc etc" I'd imagine.

Personally I'd put it in the 'nothing to see here, move along' category, yes the network ones may be a bit OTT for a news app (except check network status & full network access), but they may be using some toolkit that offers prompts/something if it detects no connection.

vexxxboy

4087 posts

Uber Geek

#1120946 3-Sep-2014 07:18

the Herald is just as bad

Common sense is not as common as you think.