Researchers develop software that knows exactly where you are

The research by Vocativ shows the apps that can access user’s microphones, call logs and contacts.It found one of the worst offenders was a game aimed at children. Called Happy Fish, developer HappyElements, programmed the game so that it can collect a precise location, has access to your photos and can read your text messages. […]

The research by Vocativ shows the apps that can access user’s microphones, call logs and contacts.
It found one of the worst offenders was a game aimed at children.
Called Happy Fish, developer HappyElements, programmed the game so that it can collect a precise location, has access to your photos and can read your text messages.
It can even tell which Wi-Fi network you’re using.
Android users have taken to messageboards to complain about the problems.
The hugely popular game Fruit Ninja asks users for permissions described as ‘crazy’ by users.
One reviewer wrote “I will never install this until it is clear as to why the developer needs access to all your private content.”
However, more than half of the 25 apps have access to contacts, and about a third tap into text messages, call log and microphone.
“These advertisers are trying to get more targeted information about you, so they can get more targeted ads,” PrivacyGrade.org founder and Carnegie Mellon professor of computer science Jason Hong said.
“These apps access information about a user that can be highly sensitive, such as location, contact lists and call logs, yet it often is difficult for the average user to understand how that information is being used or who it might be shared with.”
“Most developers aren’t evil, but they often don’t know what to do with respect to privacy and security,” Hong added, explaining that some developers may simply collect data with their apps because they can, and nobody stops them.