Do you think mobile apps ask for too many permissions than required?

1 Answer

Answer :

Yes, I believe it is a risk. I have come across apps that were really ridiculous like that. A stupid game that wants permission to access my contacts, control my phone, control my camera, etc. Why? Before I download any apps, I look at the permissions. If there are a bunch that don’t seem necessary, I don’t download them. I know of nothing that can be done other than not downloading them. I had some that I downloaded and tried turning off select permissions from the app. On the couple I had that control, it just turned them back on itself.

Related questions

Description : Does the world need smartphone apps to tell people to pay attention to where they walk?

Last Answer : Instead of getting some app to help people navigate through their lives, I suggest they get their mommies to hold their hands instead. MUCH more reliable than some stupid app…

Description : What apps should I get for my new Android Moto X4 phone?

Last Answer : If you like photography, and editing your pictures, Snapseed is quite nice. Very effective, and simple to use.

Description : Is David Cameron (British Prime Minister) realistic when he proposes banning messaging apps?

Last Answer : asinine

Description : Can you suggest any good geolocation based apps?

Last Answer : CityMaps2Go is one. And of course runkeeper but that doesn’t tell you what is nearby it just tells you where you are and where you have been, it is a runkeeper!

Description : What are your must-have Android apps?

Last Answer : depends on the type of person you are. I have an iPhone, but these apps I have are also Android available: Flixter, Bad Piggies, Spotify

Description : What programming languages are used in making Smartphone apps?

Last Answer : answer:That depends on which platform. I will have to dig a bit more for specific numbers, but I can tell you that Apple makes it harder than Android, if for no reason other than the cost of the development tools, ... , it will have to wait it's 2AM here and I am too tired to look it up right now.

Description : Okay, so (sorry) I got myself an ipad. Now tell me what apps to get?

Last Answer : Angry Birds. Wheeeeeeeee!

Description : What is (are) the best scanner apps in the Android world?

Last Answer : With 8mp, you should be able to just take a photo and email it as you would any other picture you wanted to share. I take a lot of photos of documents with mine, most with 10–12 point font, and they turn out great.

Description : Why won't my Droid 2 update apps?

Last Answer : answer:It's not updating those apps at all, you see. Your droid has become sentient and is currently using the presumed update of apps to actually update itself to become more powerful. Run. For the love of ... that sentient thing isn't the problem. I'd run anyhow, just to be on the safe side.

Description : What are the best apps for an ipod touch?

Last Answer : My friend has a facts app. I’m not sure if it would be useful, but I loved it!

Description : What are some must have apps on blackberry?

Last Answer : Most of the Blackberry people I support want apps for Facebook, Link’d In, and Skype. …and get Tetris.

Description : Can I get the apps I bought from the app store back after my iPod touch was wiped?

Last Answer : Yes, if you have sync’d it wih your itunes library, shouldnt be a problem, also if you try purchasing it again from the itunes store – it shouldnt charge you… i have inadvertantly deleted a few apps in the past only to try and download them again – and no charge was given.

Description : Why is my mobile sending mixed signals?

Last Answer : Is the phone reading the first card only and the laptop reading both? I would talk to your phone service provider.

Description : How can I figure out which app on my husband's phone is charging $4.99 a month?

Last Answer : If it's an Android phone you (or (ask/tell) him to) go to the Google Play Store app. There you click the account avatar (right hand in the search bar). Then choose Payments & Subscriptions. In there you will ... is an iPhone I don't know how to find it, but I'm sure there will come an iPhone user.

Description : Do you know of a exercise heart rate monitor that will beep or vibrate when my heart rate exceeds a certain level?

Last Answer : Garmin has the vivosmart HR/HR+ watch that supposedly has those functions. I have no experience with it. From experience I can say the Garmin Forerunner 235 does not work well.

Description : Is there an PDF/doc app or site that can define words?

Last Answer : I just use Google for word definitions.

Description : Tech Question for iphones PLEASE HELP?

Last Answer : As far as I know, it is the amount of time the screen is on in an app. But I am not a developer for apple, so take from that what you will.

Description : What app do you use for GPS?

Last Answer : Google Maps. (Not the Waze overlay of Google Maps)

Description : Can anyone recommend an Android music app that has the following attributes?

Last Answer : I’d say Plex seems likable enough to me, though I don’t know how to do the sleep timer thing.

Description : What does runtime error bad argument #1 to pairs (table expected, got nil) mean?

Last Answer : answer:It means that the programmer of the game made a mistake while writing the code. At some point, there is a function called pairs being run, and it has an input that should be of the data type ... what to do with this input so its only option is to crash, which is what a runtime error is.

Description : What's the best QR code reader for an Android phone and tablet?

Last Answer : What’s QR?

Description : Is there anyway to watch videos in the corner of your screen while still working?

Last Answer : Depends. If you’re using Ubuntu, you can just right-click the window title bar and select “Always on top”. Windows, I don’t know, but I’m sure something exists that you’d be able to find if you tried Google.

Description : Is there an app for my android phone where I can track its location using a computer?

Last Answer : answer:Android Device Manager Prey

Description : What is the best "virtual wallet" app.

Last Answer : answer:What happens of you drop your phone at the mall, not in the lake, and a less than honest person picks it up? They now have all your info. They aren't going to say oh my, we have to get this ... @josie! To answer your question, I'm not sure which app is good. I'd be too afraid to use it.

Description : How do I upload a reluctant app on my iPhone?

Last Answer : This may be a foolish question but is it possible that the apps are only being updated in iPhone5 versions. Another thought, are you on iOS5 or 6?

Description : What is the best audio looper app for android phones?

Last Answer : answer:

Description : Is there a good site or app for tracking daily events?

Last Answer : You didn’t indicate what you wish to use the app on (android, iPad, etc.).

Description : How do I use zBar barcode reader?

Last Answer : You just hold the barcode up to the camera.

Description : Have you seen the ahha birds app?

Last Answer : Haven’t heard of it or played it. Frankly, I’m a little sick of hearing about angry birds, so I’m glad there’s any kind of “bird” competition.

Description : What GPS app is good for iPhone?

Last Answer : Google maps.

Description : I won my choice of any iPad/iPhone app! What should I choose? What would you choose?

Last Answer : answer:Although best suited for the iPad, the app Brushes has always had my attention. It's $4.99 for iPhone & $7.99 for iPad. I haven't bought it yet, but I can see losing myself for hours, just painting ... that will make them loathe you, then get the iVIP app. It has a price tag of $999.99. :D

Description : Do you have to pay to your phone company when you use handcent sms?

Last Answer : Yes, you need to pay Verizon for texting, and if you don’t, there’s no point in having Handcent.

Description : "phonemyPC" for android? what is it?

Last Answer : answer:It's a remote viewer along the lines of a Terminal Server Client or some other program that uses Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol. Basically, it allows you to access your computer remotely ... than, this application. Search Android Market for VNC or RDP, and you'll find FLOSS alternatives.

Description : Alarm app for iPod Touch?

Last Answer : Yes, there are some that exist, although you need to keep the app up and the iPod on, which drains the battery unless you have it charging. You’ll need iPhone OS 3.0 fir those apps.

Description : App for mixed drinks?

Last Answer : Drinks is the one I use, it’s great. Lets you add your own recipes, set favorites, and has a nice interface.

Description : How do you make choppers in Strategic assault in iPhone?

Last Answer : I don’t own this game, but here is the developers website contact info. I’m sure they could tell you or maybe have a manual for the game. http://www.xengames.com/support.htm

Description : What are some great applications for my iPhone?

Last Answer : WordBreaker (word game) Bejeweled (game) Google Reader (RSS reader) OneTrip (shopping list) Ta-Da Lists (to-do lists) Movies.app (movie showtimes and more) Meebo (chat client) FlickIM (AIM chat) iPhone Sports (sports scores) Rock Me (hold it up at a concert) and of course... Ask-public!

Description : Does anyone knows what's happening in the fat-free games site?

Last Answer : Is fat free like pogo.com ? I’m not sure I heard of it .

Description : Is there an Android app that prevents butt dialing and does not require many permissions?

Last Answer : Something else you might try is to go into SETTINGS -> ACCESSIBILITY and set “Power button ends call”. This way, you don’t have to press the “end call” screen button, and you might not accidentally then hit another contact.

Description : What permissions have I given when using certain applications?

Last Answer : Pics that can be seen by whom depends on your privacy settings on facebook. You can choose only you / friends / friend of friends or public. Not remembering what’s the default one.. should be friends only i guess.

Description : I just purchased a Minecraft server, can anyone give me some advice/help regarding permissions and ranks and grief protection?

Last Answer : I recently purchased a realm. It simplifies the process while maintaining most of the functionality. Have you given that a shot?

Description : Can you explain the permissions model in relation to SharePoint?

Last Answer : This answer may be a little late, but I’ve used this site as a refresher before in my old job.

Description : How do change permissions on my external HD once and for all?

Last Answer : answer:It seems that you've been accessing the drive through a Windows machine with an admin account and alternate somewhat with your Linux machine. Am I right? (prays) I guess you could add the ... will involve one or both of these commands. http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-214679.html

Description : What permissions do I need to start a store online?

Last Answer : You may want to get permission from the manufacturers of the products you wish to sell. Very important!

Description : On Facebook, what happens when I uncheck "publish to stream" permissions for an application?

Last Answer : Granting Publish to stream permissions means you're giving permission for that application to post events to your news feed. For example, if you granted it to a running application, and you used it it ... question (but we'll always ask you before we post to your newsfeed on a per question basis).

Description : Is there any way for someone to bypass file permissions on a server?

Last Answer : Depends on your set up. Are there other ways to get to the files on you server other than FTP? Are there any generic FTP users that may have permissions to the file? Test it, go off-site and try to get ... If you want, I can test it from here if you give me your permission/want me to. Best of luck

Description : How to change permissions on a file in subversion?

Last Answer : answer:Subversion does not store or version the permissions on files which, to me, makes sense - it is concerned only with the contents and structure of your files. The exception is that you ... then I'd suggest making a checkout script that does a chmod after your checkout has completed.

Description : How can I fix my iMac's permissions?

Last Answer : answer:What you'll have to do is set all the folders that are giving you problems to read and write . That's basically full access. And make sure that these are set under the right user ... thinking of is for a totally different capacity. Like corrupted, odd permission settings the OS can weed out.

Description : For 24 hours you control your countries entire military, no questions asked, no permits or permissions needed, what plans do you put in place and how does it turn out?

Last Answer : Dismantle and Over throw the government. It turns out great!

Description : When creating a user, what permissions must you grant to allow them to connect to the database?

Last Answer : Grant the CONNECT to the user.