What’s App?
That was a lame heading but this is not a lame topic.
Do you have a mobile phone? I think by now everyone (but the pastor at my church who still uses a flip phone) has a mobile phone with a data plan.
And you have apps on it.
Have you read the permissions you agree to when you install an app? It might actually be worth reviewing. Here are just a few that I have agreed to (without really paying attention):
Facebook can:
- Read my calendar events plus confidential information (hmmm. Why does FB need access to confidential info about my events?)
- Add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owner’s knowledge (what?)
- Modify my contacts
- Read the contents of my usb storage
Why in the world does FB need to do any of these things? But if I say no, no Facebook.
That’s fine. FB is social. You might decide to do without. Not needed. But what about that map app you use? In getting great directions, what are you giving up?
Google Maps can:
- Add or remove accounts on my device (why?)
- Directly call phone numbers (without my knowledge?)
- Modify or DELETE the contents of my USB storage (what happens if my pictures go missing?)
- And then of course it always knows my precise location.
Pause and consider that for just a moment. I keep my phone in my breast pocket almost all the time. Google knows not only the address of where I work but the exact location of my desk in my building. That might not sound too bad. Are you one of those who tweets, facebooks and other mobile activities while in the bathroom? Google not only knows what you’re doing in the bathroom (if they know where my desk is, they know where your bathroom is), it also therefore knows how often you go there. It also knows how long you’re there. Creeped out yet?
These and other app makers are private companies and you have an agreement with them as to how they will handle your data.
But then there is our government demanding access to your data to these companies. And in some cases our government is actually demanding encryption that is below a level it should be so they can snoop. Which then makes our (your) data accessible not only to the company you agree to share it with, but probably with the government and even potentially with hackers that take advantage of this lower level of encryption.
Do I sound like a lunatic? Read the story about how our government insisted on a backdoor that caused problems last week for a lot of folks.
Normally I end these articles with a “Need help? Give us a call” plug but there really isn’t much that can be done unless you’re ready to unplug. If you do, let me know before you go – I’d like to learn if folks really are unplugging.