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Google's Also Peddling a Data Collector Through Apple's Back Door (techcrunch.com)
Facebook is not the only one abusing Apple's system for distributing employee-only apps to sidestep the App Store and collect extensive data on users. Google has been running an app called Screenwise Meter, which bears a strong resemblance to the app distributed by Facebook Research that has now been barred by Apple, TechCrunch reported Wednesday. From the report: In its app, Google invites users aged 18 and up (or 13 if part of a family group) to download the app by way of a special code and registration process using an Enterprise Certificate. That's the same type of policy violation that led Apple to shut down Facebook's similar Research VPN iOS app, which had the knock-on effect of also disabling usage of Facebook's legitimate employee-only apps -- which run on the same Facebook Enterprise Certificate -- and making Facebook look very iffy in the process. It needs to be pointed out that Google's app is relatively transparent about what it does and who runs it.
Why?
How is this different from a person volunteering for a 1-week medical study where you're put in a room and everything about you is recorded?
As the article said, Google is relatively more upfront that this is monitoring everything you do on your phone.
If a company tells you explicitly what it's going to do with you + your info, and you agree and affirmatively opt in, why should government step in?
Are you saying the people are not aware of their full involvement? Should govt lay down the ground rules for what these studies can record / collect like a medical study? What do you propose?