Mozilla says “most top apps” on Android have misleading privacy labels

MuzzMelbourne

Level 15
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Mar 13, 2022
599
It looks like trusting developers to just tell the truth about data collection on Google Play isn't working out. Just like on iOS, Android launched app privacy "nutrition labels" in the Play Store last year, with the idea being that users could quickly get a look at how much data each app collects. The obvious problem with this system is that the developers fill out the data-collection forms, and there's nothing to stop them from lying or omitting certain data-collection policies. It's no surprise, then, that when Mozilla recently audited the top apps on Google Play, it found that "most top apps" have "false or misleading" app privacy labels.
Google and your device manufacturer both have system-level access to the OS that exists outside the app security model, so they can basically do whatever they want on your phone, including collecting all your data.(my emphasis).

 

Zero Knowledge

Level 20
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Content Creator
Dec 2, 2016
849
Google, Samsung, Chinese smartphone makers have worked it out with Android. Have an official app for everything that is constantly updated through app stores like messages, phone, carrier services, maps, and generic keyboard app where you can collect data, track users, target adds and have users under constant surveillance.
 

oldschool

Level 84
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Well-known
Mar 29, 2018
7,577
Google, Samsung, Chinese smartphone makers have worked it out with Android. Have an official app for everything that is constantly updated through app stores like messages, phone, carrier services, maps, and generic keyboard app where you can collect data, track users, target adds and have users under constant surveillance.
Indeed, but I like my old Samsung J3, but It has less of everything. And I mean everything. ;):LOL:
 

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