Broadband Tech > Security > Security > Smartphone apps track users even when shut down

Smartphone apps track users even when shut down

I'm shocked I tell ya, shocked, that smartphones track everything you do and everywhere you go Duh!

BTW as with other cell phones turning them "off" only puts them in a lower power mode. Remove the battery (if possible) to prevent all tracking.
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow!

reply to antdude
Apparently some people didn't realize that these devices only really go into a standby mode as that is a soft power button, as in controlled by software. If it has power it's operational.

reply to antdude
Yes, that's what Google's Android phones designed to do - to collect information about users. If you think something different, answer to yourself simple questions:
1. Does your phone have firewall that will help you to block applications from accessing the Internet?
2. Why applications do not have 'X' close facilities (close button, standard "Exit" menu, etc)?
3. Why lot of applications installed on Android phones request completely unnecessary permissions? For example, a flash light app may ask for network access, contacts data, your phone records, GPS data, etc and you can't limit any of those permissions if you want to install it.
4. Why you can't get control over your phone unless you jail break (root) it?

You don't own your own Android phone (in opposite, it owns your personal data), unless you root it. It's by design... And many users don't see that or don't bother to think about is at all.
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Keep it simple, it'll become complex by itself...

Re: Smartphone apps track users even when shut down

reply to Anon
Somewhere, somehow, the word "sheeple" will be used ...

I think I just did it:

reply to EGeezer
Oh snap!

People don't bother to vet apps for the most part. I do, and very carefully. I don't click adverts. Ever. Never have.
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Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

reply to EGeezer
I'm not a smartphone expert, but it seems these devices are so crippled in their internet security and user content and unsolicited connection control that they're useless for much of anything beyond taking pictures, casual email/text messages, viewing videos and uploading crap to Facebook or twitter.

If I were a business network or critical infrastructure security admin, the thought of allowing BYOD smartphones or other mobile devices access to my network would be a scary one.

That's actually how it is now, and many of these phones tend not to get the updated firmware leaving them vulnerable to known exploits. The companies in general don't expect you to use a phone for more than one to two years, and might only get one firmware update. Even the popular iphones have this issue, but part of that is they are putting more powerful/different hardware in newer models too.

In general security is an afterthought when it comes to smartphones.
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I distrust those people who know so well what god wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires- Susan B. Anthony
Yesterday we obeyed kings, and bent out necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to the truth- Kahlil G.

reply to antdude

reply to EGeezer

Re: Smartphone apps track users even when shut down

reply to Dude111

Re:  

reply to EGeezer

Re: Smartphone apps track users even when shut down

reply to antdude
See what Facebook permissions are required to run on your Mobile

reply to Juggernaut

I haven't bothered to root yet, and I may not. Meh.

reply to siljaline