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Free Android Apps Have Privacy Cost
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Guest.
Guest.,
 User Rank: Apprentice
7/14/2012 | 3:49:22 AM
re: Free Android Apps Have Privacy Cost
> warned that over 5% of free Android apps interface with at least one "aggressive" ad network t

Wow. A whopping 5%. That's far from a major problem.
Guest.
Guest.,
 User Rank: Apprentice
7/14/2012 | 3:48:14 AM
re: Free Android Apps Have Privacy Cost
The OS needs a fix: If I see *ANYTHING* in my notification-bar that is spam... 1 long-click... uninstalls the app that made it.

Done.

Also, I have *NEVER* seen any apps that make random shortcuts, or change my browser bookmarks. The OS could easily prevent that. Only allowing the app that made the data... to change the data.

ANON1237925156805
ANON1237925156805,
 User Rank: Apprentice
7/13/2012 | 7:35:07 PM
re: Free Android Apps Have Privacy Cost
These initiatives are a good idea, but who knows what impact they will have and when? In the meantime, consumers should make wise choices.

I learned my lesson about free apps with ads from supposedly reliable vendors years ago when I opted for free Grokster on my PC to save $29.95. That price differential sure made free seem like a reasonable choice and Grokster was getting all kinds of favorable press. A week later I detected that my PC had been conscripted into a spybot army. Ouch!

In the mobile universe apps that are offered in free and paid versions never cost more than $5.00 for the paid version; sometimes they are as cheap as $.99. Those who grouse about "not free" could easily fund such a rash expenditure by eliminating one visit to Starbucks.

My current policy: I try to evaluate apps online and look for friends who have them and are willing to let me play. In rare cases I may install a free version for a day or two to eval. Once it's clear I'll use an app then I pay to eliminate the advertising.

PJS880
PJS880,
 User Rank: Ninja
7/12/2012 | 3:30:05 PM
re: Free Android Apps Have Privacy Cost
I recently bought a second phone, because I was traveling to another country and my carrier does not offer international calling. I went with the Galaxy SII, it was a reasonable cost and I liked the features. As with any new phone after setting up the basics I began to fill up my applications with the apps that I liked or thought I could use on the trip. I now have pop ups in my notification bars an also I will find various app icons on my home pages that are spam. There is nothing worse than a company taking advantage of its own offers for free apps and it is a total turn off to the company and its future products. For me that am the quickest way to turn me off to your app, by supplying me with a bunch of junk that I do not need or want and furthermore do not need! I do not know anyone who like or appreciates aggressive advertising practices!

Paul Sprague
InformationWeek Contributor


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