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New iOS App Sends Users' Web Traffic Through Its Proxy Servers
New submitter spac writes "AllthingsD has an interesting story about how a startup called Wajam requires users of their service to download a script that sets up a proxy to handle all network requests for the purpose of providing 'Social Recommendations' within built-in apps. The privacy implications of using this profile script isn't clearly presented to users. Are we really to entrust our data to a company founded by a man who comes from the world of browser toolbars? And for social search?!"
The company rushes to counter privacy concerns by pointing out that their service has "received security certifications from TRUSTe, McAfee and Norton."
What's your interest in defending Apple on this?
What's your interest in attacking Apple on this?
Okay, I'll point out one simple fact: This is not an App. If you go to the iTunes Store and search for Wajam, you find nothing. Nil, Zip, Nada. So it's not an App that Apple is implicitly saying is okay by hosting it in it's App Store.
If you want to "bash" Apple, what this is is a privacy attack vector. If I can get you to download something like this to your phone, I can set up the proxy so that a trip to, oh, bankofamerica.com will end up on a server of my choice. Great for spoofing and pretty dangerous.
Note that it doesn't automatically select the configuration--I have to do this myself. But that can be socially-engineered, so it's not like it's great protection. So Apple is not entirely blameless on this, I'll agree.