Fifth of Android Apps Expose Private Data

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."

Comments

well well

[smitty97]

Suddenly the walled garden approach where apps go through an approval process doesn't seem so bad.

If only there was some phone manufacturer that did this..

20% 100%

[yyxx]

First of all, 20% have the ability to access private data on Android. Now, 20% is less than 100%, which is what you effectively get on other smartphone platforms. On the iPhone, effectively 100% of apps have access to your private data.

Now, those 20% of applications don't "expose" private data, they have access to it. Most of them do because they need it. Some do because the programmer screwed up and asked for more than he needed; such apps tend to get punished in the ratings.

Android has a good architecture, security and otherwise: it's clear, simple, and actually alerts people to what their applications are doing. iPhone/iOS is primitive and obsolete in comparison.