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FTC Warns Android App Developers About Use of Audio-Tracking Code
Reader Trailrunner7 writes: The Federal Trade Commission is warning dozens of developers about some code they've included in their apps that can surreptitiously listen to unique audio signals from TVs in the background and build detailed profiles of what consumers are watching. The technology, produced by a company called SilverPush, is used to track users across devices and the FTC warned the developers that if they don't disclose the use of the code to consumers, they could be violating the FTC Act. The commission sent the letter to 12 app developers whose apps are in the Google Play Store, and warned them that not disclosing the use of SilverPush's Unique Audio Beacon could be a problem. "For example, the code is configured to access the device's microphone to collect audio information even when the application is not in use. Moreover, your application requires permission to access the mobile device's microphone prior to install, despite no evident functionality in the application that would require such access," the letter says.
Listen and filter You Tube videos and compare against a database of sound tracks.
Next up, how about they send a nastygram to the NSA...
This technology could be used to catch the unscrupulous people doing unlicensed performances of songs in public places and help protect us all from terrorists.
A list of apps using Silverpush is available at: https://public.addonsdetector....
I'm in no way affiliated with this site.
Why doesn't anyone list the apps? (or I missed it in reading)
...the government hates competition.
Here's a list of reasons why I don't like the Internet of Things:
1) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I sleep.
2) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I pee.
3) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I make kaka.
4) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I pleasure myself.
5) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I wash my body in the shower.
6) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I relax in the tub.
7) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I brush my teeth.
8) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I make passionate love to my wife.
9) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I brush my hair.
10) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I read a book.
11) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I read Slashdot.
12) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I bake cake.
13) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I put in my contact lenses.
14) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I get ready to play golf.
15) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I do my laundry.
16) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I think about rugby.
17) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I tie my shoes.
18) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I celebrate the 4th of July.
19) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I water my flowers.
20) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I eat ham.
21) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I use my stapler to staple documents.
22) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I chew bubble gum.
23) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I check the oil in my car.
24) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I look for my TV remote.
25) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I blow my nose.
26) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I rearrange my stamp collection.
27) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I listen to the Backstreet Boys.
28) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I do my calisthenics.
29) Internet of Things devices could listen to me while I search for a paper clip.
30) Internet of Things devices could send information about me to advertisers.
31) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I sleep.
32) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I pee.
33) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I make kaka.
34) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I pleasure myself.
35) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I wash my body in the shower.
36) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I relax in the tub.
37) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I brush my teeth.
38) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I make passionate love to my wife.
39) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I brush my hair.
40) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I read a book.
41) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected about me while I read Slashdot.
42) Internet of Things devices could let advertisers use the data unsuspectingly collected abo
So, when I travelled back to 2008 where apple released its app SDK and told that the device's microphone would be used to secretly track which TV station you are watching, most likely because of monetary (big data) reasons. I know, I would have felt like that trojan lady who knew her city was about to fall, and all the women in the city raped, all the men killed, all the houses burned, but nobody believed her because it was a curse from the gods.
I guess I'll be adding bandpass filter to my cellphone, computer and tv speakers and to some of the mics.
configured to access the device's microphone to collect audio information even when the application is not in use.
How is this even legal? It's fucking malware.
You forgot #61. Lists with more than 3 items. Jesus
"this could constitute a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act"
What exactly would constitute a violation of the FTC act? Their footnote states
"Specifically, Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce"
What about using SilverPush would be unfair or deceptive?
The FTC is attempting to assert jurisdiction, but there's nothing here to regulate. Why is the FTC attempting to regulate apps? Why don't they do something useful and regulate adware?
I guess now we need a switch that physically disconnects the microphone.
The length of the list is important, because it emphasizes just how invasive IoT technology already is and will be in the future. No act, no matter how small and inconsequential, will go ignored. Things you don't even realize you're doing will be monitored and tracked, and you won't have even the slightest clue that it's happening. Things that one takes for granted, like the sanctity of one's genital region, will soon fall victim to IoT monitoring. When it comes to IoT devices, nothing is more important than providing as much information to advertisers as is possible. That lengthy list captures that idea perfectly.
It appears based on maestroX's post above (which lists Silverpush-using apps) that nearly all of the offending apps on the market are clearly targeted at foreign users - primarily it seems Southeast Asian markets.
Which is consistent with the FTC's letter saying that no USA programming features the broadcast component of this technology.
Seems like this is a preemptive "US advertisers had better not use this" warning.
Also - most of the developers will likely just ignore the FTC due to lack of jurisdiction, as the worst case the FTC could do is have these apps blocked for US users which the developer probably doesn't care about.
retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?
Seems like it would always be illegal in 2-party states (as people around you aren't consenting) or if the user isn't told about it.
I am using Android for more than 2 years so I am not anti-Android. However, things like this scare me on Android. Google has very little control on apps, not even to prevent someone violating laws. Up until Android 6, it was not even possible to revoke app permissions. You had to grant all permissions that app requested in order to install it. Many apps used to create fake reasons why they need some permissions. Why do radio app need to dial international number? In iOS, you can configure. On my iOS, I didn't use to turn on location permission until I start navigating. Also, I gave none of the permissions to background app except may be notifications on iOS. It is hard to do fine grain controls like this in Android (I don't know if it is even possible). The fact that FCC had to intervene is a shame on Android.
Agreed, but you misspelled "terrists".
Your former president,
George W. Bush
The modern app appers at SilverPush are simply apping apps while apping other apps, so the FTC should keep their LUDDITE hands out of their business!
Apps!
The only useful thing IoT advertisers could gleam from data gathered from my nether region is that I'm due to buy another vat of industrial grade walrus grease, and an incrementally larger Yoga doll. Both things would be useful to me, so Bring it On (TM)
Actually, this is businesses ignoring regulations.
Don't try to out wierd me, three-eyes. I get stranger things than you, free with my breakfast cereal. --Zaphod Beeblebr
Says the guy posting as Anonymous Coward, on a site that dosen't verify any identity you care to assume.
You have been unintentionally hilarious. And done a good deal towards MAKING his point.
https://www.xaxis.com/products/view/xaxis-sync
Is another service that provides the same always-listening-to-provide-targeted-ads functionality
That lengthy list captures that idea perfectly.
... and ensures that almost nobody will actually read it, defeating the suggested purpose of posting it.
What you're doing is just as pointless as any other meme that gets spammed on /. and scrolled past by the users.
First of all, it's not a meme, it's just a comment.
Second of all, it's not spam, as it's not trying to sell a product (and it's very clearly against commercialism in many ways).
Third of all, numerous people here have read it, as some have replied to it acknowledging the content.
So you're completely wrong about everything you just wrote.
You know this for a fact? Do you trust BizX?
FTC has no say in the issue.
62. ??? 63. Profit!
It's not even a remotely original comment. You, or someone, posts the same damned list at least a half-dozen times every month. Sadly, some people have short memories so you might just as well as keep reposting it but don't, please, pretend it's original. It's probably not even your original post. I first saw it ages and ages ago.
"So long and thanks for all the fish."
The Federal Trade Commission is warning ***a dozen of developers*** about some code they've included in their apps