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Pandora Subpoenaed In Probe of Mobile-App Privacy

Posted by Soulskill on from the investigating-at-the-speed-of-government dept.

ideaz writes "Pandora Media Inc., the largest Internet radio company, said it's been asked for information as part of a federal grand-jury probe into the way smartphone software developers handle personal data. Pandora isn't a specific target of the investigation and similar subpoenas have been issued to other publishers of apps that run on Apple's iPhone and Google's Android operating system, the company said in a securities filing today."

5 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. Probably their login method by Culture20 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Their login method is "what's the iPhone's UUID?" Found that one out the hard way when I purchased a friends' (wiped by me) old iPhone. They're probably an example of doing it wrong.

    1. Re:Probably their login method by ArcCoyote · · Score: 3, Informative

      Yep, and that's how I found iPhones that are returned as defective to the Apple Store make it back to the public.

      I exchanged a 3GS that was spontaneously rebooting and syncing slowly or not at all, even after a DFU Restore (which is why I honestly believe jailbreaking can damage your flash, especially after I had it happen to TWO jailbroken 3GS's... but that's another story.)

      Anyway, I had Pandora on it. I didn't reinstall Pandora right away on my replacement phone, but when I finally did (months later) and logged into my Pandora account, my stations had been replaced with a bunch of stuff I would never listen to. So explain to me how that happened, other than someone using the phone that was supposedly returned to Apple?

  2. Not Surprised Pandora Got Called Out on This by Maltheus · · Score: 2

    I uninstalled Pandora from my phone the second they wanted permissions to access my calendar. I don't care so much that they know who my contacts are, but the details of my personal appointments are much more sensitive. Still, I knew the price and was free not to pay it. It's not like Android doesn't warn you when the permissions change.

  3. Incorrect use of a smart phone by shuz · · Score: 2

    Listen here the parent obviously did not correctly follow the intentions of both the phone manufacturer as well as the assumption of the software designer. You are supposed to throw the phone into the closest trash receptical after 3-6 months of use and purchase a new $500 phone. By ensuring that your phone is securely in a landfill you can then feel confident that you will be supported to the fullest extent by your software vendor as well as your hardware vendor. Of course both data security and software backups and data transfers are out of scope of both the software vendor as well as the hardware manufacturer. I personally suggest an 8 lb maul against an uneven and sharp surface. Ensure that particles of your previous device are smaller than a dime. As for software backups and transfers I suggest a professional paid service that will steal, ahem, manage that data for you.

    --
    There is or can be built a machine that can simulate any physical object. -Church-Turing principle
  4. I installed Pandora... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    And didn't uninstall it, especially when I realized I could get free, high quality music I actually enjoyed..
    Anywhere. Music statistically optimized by my taste by doing little more than suggesting a few bands, then saying "Sucks, skip it" or "This rocks" a few times.
    In the car? Internet>3G>Iphone>bluetooth>aftermarket bluetooth car deck.
    No wires. Touch the screen of my phone and stuff it back in my pocket and forget it while driving. Got a phone call? Music pauses, in-car stero becomes speakerphone. Music resumes and fades in when call ends. This, in a vehicle that was made when "push technology" was the buzzword of the day. When did the future get here?