Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

HTC Android Backdoor Leaks Private User Data

Posted by samzenpus on from the like-a-sieve dept.

Trailrunner7 writes "There is a serious security issue with a variety of HTC Android phones that enables any app with Internet permissions to access a huge amount of private data on the device, including call logs, email addresses, SMS messages, last known GPS location and more. The problem was introduced via an update to the HTC phones that installed a tool called HTCLogger that collects the data."

7 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. Deja View by AB3A · · Score: 5, Informative

    Didn't we discuss this Yesterday?

    --
    Nearly fifty percent of all graduates come from the bottom half of the class!
    1. Re:Deja View by AmberBlackCat · · Score: 2

      Maybe it's just because I have an EVO 3D, but I really think this one needs to be discussed more often. Preferably on national TV.

  2. Do Slashdot editors... by Issarlk · · Score: 2

    ...read Slashdot ?

    1. Re:Do Slashdot editors... by Burning1 · · Score: 2

      They must. That's clearly where they are plagiarizing all their content from.

  3. Contract Problems? by MarkvW · · Score: 2

    Phone companies have you sign adhesion contracts when you sign up for their services. In other words, "take it or leave it" contracts. These contracts are incredibly one-sided.

    If the full extent of the agreement is laid out in the contract and the contract is not "unconscionable," the contract will be enforced.

    I suspect that terms of a contract that allow a telephone provider to negligently harm a phone user in ways no phone user could reasonably anticipate would be considered an unconscionable contract.

    That could open the door for money damages.

    The phone companies work hard to get legislation to slam shut your right of access to the courts.

  4. Re:Problem for who? by dyingtolive · · Score: 3, Funny

    He must work for the Official Organizational Body That Specializes in Unmaking Things Simple and Consice by Unwieldily Phrasing Things Not in a Way Most People Would Easily Parse. It's also known by it's acronym, OOBTSUTSCTNWMPWEP, not to be confused with OOBTSUTSCUPTNWMPWEP, which, as well all know is the acronym for Obfuscated Acronym Bureau.

    --
    Support the EFF and Creative Commons. The war is coming, and they're supporting you...
  5. Re:Disappointed in lack of comments in these posts by Belial6 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I suspect the difference is that there is little to discuss. 82 comments is plenty for everyone to see that everyone agrees this is a problem. Whereas when there is a problem on Apple devices, Apple fanboys come out in droves to try and rationalize away the problem.

    If you want to verify this, just review the two threads and see how many people claim it isn't a problem for the the people that own the effected phones. Then go to the Apple tracking threads and count the number of people who claim it isn't a problem for people that own the effected phones.

    Honestly, I'm not sure if you are trolling, or if you actually don't see this.