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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.
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.
...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
Or have Google prevent background processes from accessing the microphone... DUH!
Definitely. Also should have better sandboxing of apps, like finer grain permissions, proxy handling and the ability to substitute alternate resources. For example, a few apps might really make sense to let them see you on-call status, but they don't strictly need more than that. Other apps only need audio mute or attenuation. That could be handled in the audio services rather than by the apps. Then sometimes, one might have a good reason to use an app that request more permissions than one is willing to grant. Resource substitution Could allow that. (Any app that refused to work because it detected a "dummy" resource better have an extremely good reason to need the "real" resource.) One or more (preferably more) alternate contacts resources, for example, would allow users to control what subsets of their contacts each app has access to (for the apps that have a legitimate use for reading your contacts).
Don't try to out wierd me, three-eyes. I get stranger things than you, free with my breakfast cereal. --Zaphod Beeblebr
That switch should also physically disconnect the camera.
I'm not so worried about someone getting a real close-up of my nipple, but anything using the camera or mic or accelerometer or GPS or IP connectivity when not in the foreground should require an explicit authorization from the user, every time. Google really needs to give users a way to block this. A barndoor wide acceptance without specifics at install time is not good enough.
It's doable in Android. Root, install a firewall and DisableService (handy little program which disables services in apps).