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Fifth of Android Apps Expose Private Data

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the that's-why-i-only-use-lynx dept.

WrongSizeGlass writes "CNET is reporting that a fifth of Android apps expose private data. The Android market threat report details the security issues uncovered. Dozens of apps were found to have the same type of access to sensitive information as known spyware does, including access to the content of e-mail and text messages, phone call information, and device location. 5% of the apps were found to have the ability to make calls, and 2% can send text messages, without the mobile user doing anything."

10 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. Exposing private data by flaming+error · · Score: 5, Funny

    I tend to expose private data after a fifth of scotch.

    1. Re:Exposing private data by Pojut · · Score: 3, Funny

      I exposed your mom's private data last night...but it was too corrupted to be worth anything.

      Zing!

      --
      Living With a Nerd
    2. Re:Exposing private data by flaming+error · · Score: 5, Funny

      I hope you're joking. She's been dead for 12 years.

    3. Re:Exposing private data by Pojut · · Score: 4, Funny

      That simultaneously makes my joke even funnier and makes me an even bigger dickhead.

      No offense intended :/

      --
      Living With a Nerd
    4. Re:Exposing private data by flaming+error · · Score: 5, Funny

      No offense taken. You're not a dickhead, just a guy cracking jokes. Like me. (My mom's not dead, and she approved my comeback. She's here in the basement doing laundry now).

  2. Re:First Post! by Chrisq · · Score: 3, Funny

    Cock sucking faggots! - Sent from my Android -

    It would have been funny if you has said "Sent from your Android"

  3. Re:Notifications by Pharmboy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Not me, I want applications that can't read or write to files, OS API, video subsystem, ports or RAM. Programs that are properly designed to this are always safe. Every program that *doesn't* will always have some risk, no matter how well you code it. ;)

    --
    Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
  4. Sixth major app found to expose data as well by noidentity · · Score: 3, Funny

    I was using my Android today, and I discovered that it was exposing a huge amount of private data. Basically, it was transmitting a digital copy of all sounds that it picked up from its microphone, to some remote party. I couldn't believe this. More amazingly, it was triggered very simply: just dial a phone number and hit Talk. Sometimes it even occurred when I hit Talk just after the phone beeped. Nothing more was necessary. I can't believe they let this slip through.

  5. Re:Notifications by Kufat · · Score: 5, Funny

    A joke is trying to whoosh over your head.

    Cancel or allow?

  6. Re:Operative words by nilbog · · Score: 3, Funny

    Security through inoperability.

    --
    or else!