Facebook permissions

mark43 · 7 Apr 2014 at 19:42

I'm one of those foolish people who tends to update apps without looking at the permissions, but I've just come across this article and am rather shocked.

http://dannybrown.me/2014/04/04/facebook-for-android-and-why-zuckerberg-now-owns-your-ass/

I'm not sure when this changed but I had no idea, am I over reacting in being appalled about this? Think I may have to uninstall the app and just use the mobile version.

twist3d0n3 · 7 Apr 2014 at 20:18

app ops to the rescue - facebook can do bugger all on my phone thanks to that

james.miller · 7 Apr 2014 at 20:32

twist3d0n3 said:
app ops to the rescue - facebook can do bugger all on my phone thanks to that

Yeah and looking at mine, my facebook has never read my calendar, or my messages, or made phone calls, or accessed my camera. Having permission to do so is concerning of course, but at least app ops stops that in its tracks.

Not everybody has app ops though. I do think something needs to be done regarding the sorts of permissions that are granted to apps. I have no idea what though!

twist3d0n3 · 7 Apr 2014 at 20:35

yeah it's not read any messages etc, but i'd rather it didn't have the chance to.

having app ops is one of the best things with root tbh.

mark43 · 7 Apr 2014 at 21:25

I did find their explanation:

https://www.facebook.com/help/210676372433246

It may well be just for this, but I'd still rather they didn't have the option to do more. I'm sure we could just type in this confirmation code.

thep02 · 7 Apr 2014 at 21:40

Iirc 4.4.2 has stopped app ops working as G restricted its access.

twist3d0n3 · 8 Apr 2014 at 00:27

app ops works, you can test it by blocking access to things and seeing if it actually stops it (read: it does).

Scam · 8 Apr 2014 at 01:24

Their permissions are pretty ridiculous. I should really root..

_Jimlad_ · 8 Apr 2014 at 07:35

Tbh its better these apps read your data at least you get tailored adds rather generic ones

mrk · 8 Apr 2014 at 09:34

_Jimlad_ said:
Tbh its better these apps read your data at least you get tailored adds rather generic ones

Exactly.

That article is scaremongering to accumulate more views to the blog. It's in no way as bad as it or other people make out. I know there is a crowd online that will raise hoes and spades in the air at anything Facebook but they need to get a grip.

If I see ads I'd rather see a technology ad because technology is my interest area instead of an ad about tampons or baby wipes or other nonsense.

Reading SMS messages? FB supports SMS handling, big deal. So does Google Hangouts and others which needs the same permissions.

There's a fine line between paranoia and being smart about how you approach these things.

twist3d0n3 · 8 Apr 2014 at 10:43

Or just use minmin guard and never have ads either.

I don't want ads full stop, I don't care the reasons fb have for having this data, but I don't want them having the ability to access stuff on my phone that really isn't necessary

_Jimlad_ · 8 Apr 2014 at 11:26

people freak out like someone is sat reading gmail emails and facebook msg's, but it's really not like that, key word searching at best. Not ideal but the price you pay for a super free service such Gmail and Facebook if that is your thing.

twist3d0n3 · 8 Apr 2014 at 11:30

yeah, i'm aware of that, i just don't want it. full stop. it's not about paranoia or anything like that, i just want my data as my data.

Em3bbs · 8 Apr 2014 at 12:33

twist3d0n3 said:
yeah, i'm aware of that, i just don't want it. full stop. it's not about paranoia or anything like that, i just want my data as my data.

In that case why would you use Facebook at all, let alone their app?

twist3d0n3 · 8 Apr 2014 at 12:39

Em3bbs said:
In that case why would you use Facebook at all, let alone their app?

for what i always have - a means of communication...

_Jimlad_ · 8 Apr 2014 at 12:45

twist3d0n3 said:
yeah, i'm aware of that, i just don't want it. full stop. it's not about paranoia or anything like that, i just want my data as my data.

thing is mate, you take that view then you then that rules out a google / account/gmail/android /Facebook and properly a million more apps and services

twist3d0n3 · 8 Apr 2014 at 13:02

_Jimlad_ said:
thing is mate, you take that view then you then that rules out a google / account/gmail/android /Facebook and properly a million more apps and services

at least with google stuff you have an opt out for ads. and with all apps on my android device i can change their permissions, so that's not really true.

_Jimlad_ · 8 Apr 2014 at 14:28

twist3d0n3 said:
at least with google stuff you have an opt out for ads. and with all apps on my android device i can change their permissions, so that's not really true.

not sure you really opt out with google, they see it all

twist3d0n3 · 8 Apr 2014 at 14:45

_Jimlad_ said:
not sure you really opt out with google, they see it all

well at least there's the option to opt of 'using your adertising ID to build profiles or show you interest-based ads', so for me i don't get any anyway

Columbo · 8 Apr 2014 at 14:51

twist3d0n3 said:
at least with google stuff you have an opt out for ads. and with all apps on my android device i can change their permissions, so that's not really true.

As I understand it you don't have an opt out for ads, you have an opt out for targeted ads which means you still see just as many they just wont be based on your browsing history.