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Facebook's Android App Is Asking for Superuser Privileges, Users Say (bleepingcomputer.com)

Posted by msmash on from the big-blue dept.

Catalin Cimpanu, reporting for BleepingComputer: The Facebook Android app is asking for superuser permissions, and a bunch of users are freaking out about granting the Facebook app full access to their device, an understandable reaction following the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal. "Grants full access to your device," read the prompts while asking users for superuser permissions. These popups originate from the official Facebook Android app (com.facebook.katana) and are started appearing last night [UTC timezone], continuing throughout the day. Panicked users took to social media, Reddit, and Android-themed forums to share screengrabs of these suspicious popups and ask for advice on what's going on.

6 of 183 comments (clear)

  1. Shocked I tell you by Urinal+Pube · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm most surprised that someone with enough technical merit to root their phone, would install the FB app to begin with.

  2. Re:com.facebook.katana dishonorabru! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Leave Facebook. You'll feel a lot better.

  3. There is worse by volodymyrbiryuk · · Score: 5, Informative

    The fact that the shitty FB app is preinstalled on many android devices (and cannot be removet without root) is far worse.

    --
    sudo rm -r -f --no-preserve-root /
  4. No big deal by WindBourne · · Score: 5, Informative

    Say no and uninstall it.

    --
    I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
  5. Re:Solution by mukinrestak · · Score: 5, Informative

    IIRC my stock ROM on my last phone had facebook installed as an unremovable app. Depending on the phone's bootloader situation that could mean some folks CAN'T remove spywarebook. (Or their manufacturer's homebrewed spyware either)

  6. Re:No need to freak out by bondsbw · · Score: 5, Informative

    Facebook needs the following permissions:

    • Vote in government elections for you
    • Full access to your bank account

    The masses: "Eh... odd, but I really need to check Facebook." [OK]

    --
    All my liberal friends think I'm a conservative, all my conservative friends think I'm a liberal.