app privacy
DESCRIPTION
ConnectSafely.org co-director and SafeKids.com founder Larry Magid on how to protect your privacy with Apple, Android and Facebook AppsTRANSCRIPT
App PrivacyLarry MagidCo-director,
ConnectSafely.org
FounderSafeKids.com
Revised: Feb 26, 2012
More than a million appsAs of February, 2012• 500,000 iPhone/iPad apps• 382,000 Android apps• Around 500,000 Facebook apps
Almost all from “third parties” (other than Apple/Facebook or Google)
Apps can be all powerful• An “app” is a piece of software that can do practically anything that it’s
programmed to do
• While not necessarily for evil purposes apps, in theory, can:– Control your device and access anything on it– Access your contact list– Know & even share your location– Record incoming and outgoing text messages– Track incoming & outgoing calls– Send text messages & make calls from your account– Trace web sites visited– Post to your Facebook or Twitter account– Anything you do with your phone can be recorded by an app
But they’re not supposed to do any of these things without permission
Guidelines are a start
• Facebook and Apple have guidelines & rules about app privacy, but can they really police thousands of app developers?
• Revelations about apps uploading user data to servers may be the tip of the iceberg
Reviews and Ratings• App stores offer user reviews and
ratings• They’re not perfect but they give
you a sense of what others think. – Look for apps with lots of reviews
& high ratings • Use a search engine to research
apps or review sites like AppReviews
Apple App Store provides ratings and user reviews but you have to scroll down to see them
Only Install “Reputable” Apps
• Download from legitimate app stores - Apple, Android & Amazon
• Read reviews & ratings in App store or marketplace• Search for info about apps• Look at what permissions they’re asking for
Pay Careful Attention to “Permissions”
Apps will typically ask you permission before running for things like:– Uploading your contact information– Tracking your location– Posting to your Facebook or Twitter account
Does the the app really needs this information to serve you? If not, don’t install it
Be especially careful about:• Apps that disclose your location• Apps that access your contact list• Apps that send photos to others
Pay close attention to permissions such as uploading your contacts or disclosing your location
One of many apps that share your location with friends or others
And Don’t Forget To• Understand the privacy settings of your mobile
operating system• Look for age or content rating on any apps for kids• Lock (PIN protect) your phone
Privacy Disclosure AgreementOn February 23, 2012 California’s Attorney General announced a deal with Apple, Google, Microsoft & others to require app developers to disclose their privacy policies before users download them. This should benefit users throughout the world
“Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights”On February 23, 2012 The Obama Administration weighed-in with its “Consumer Data Privacy in the Networked World” report & “Bill of Rights” giving consumers the right to:
• Individual Control• Transparency
– Easily understandable• Respect for Context
– Companies will collect, use & disclose in context of how data is to be used
• Security• Access and Accuracy
– Right to access our own data• Focused Collection
– Reasonable limits on data that companies collect and retain• Accountability
– Companies accountable to enforcement authorities