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Launcher Pro - ridiculous amount of permissions...

spottyelephant

Android Enthusiast
Jul 31, 2009
550
17
Is anyone here using launcher pro? I like the look of it, but the permissions are unbelievable:

-read your messages
-read and write your personal information, browser history, and contact info
-modify/delete sd card contents
-services that cost you money
-modify system tools
-discover and view known accounts
-full internet access


...does no one think that's a bit dodgy??
 
It has counter(s) for GMail, SMS, missed calls etc so maybe that's why it needs access to some permissions? Plus things like the People widget would need to get the information from somewhere, same with the bookmarks widget.

Code:
android.permission.INTERNET
android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
android.permission.RESTART_PACKAGES
android.permission.CALL_PHONE
android.permission.EXPAND_STATUS_BAR
android.permission.GET_TASKS
android.permission.READ_CONTACTS
android.permission.SET_WALLPAPER
android.permission.SET_WALLPAPER_HINTS
android.permission.VIBRATE
android.permission.PERSISTENT_ACTIVITY
android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
android.permission.BIND_APPWIDGET
com.fede.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS
com.fede.launcher.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
android.permission.READ_SMS
com.google.android.providers.gmail.permission.READ_GMAIL
com.google.android.gm.permission.READ_GMAIL
android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS
com.google.android.googleapps.permission.GOOGLE_AUTH
com.android.browser.permission.READ_HISTORY_BOOKMARKS
com.android.browser.permission.WRITE_HISTORY_BOOKMARKS
 
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Is anyone here using launcher pro? I like the look of it, but the permissions are unbelievable:

-read your messages
-read and write your personal information, browser history, and contact info
-modify/delete sd card contents
-services that cost you money
-modify system tools
-discover and view known accounts
-full internet access


...does no one think that's a bit dodgy??

You do realize that Launcher Pro is pretty much an entire user interface replacement right? Everything you do on the phone would need to go through Launcher Pro if you had it installed.
 
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Ye i gave it a bash there - not as fast or as customisable as ADW Launcher, and asks for too many permissions in comparison IMO!
In my experience, it's been far more stable than ADW. As much as I liked ADW, having it FC every time I interacted with my phone was unacceptable. About the only thing I miss from ADW is the dockbar, since the scrollable dock of LauncherPro took some getting used to.

As for the permissions, you do realize that each one has to do with the functionality of the app, right? In essence, you're complaining that the app is too functional.
 
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Visibility of permissions required is there for a reason. Obv for you guys, you have zero sensitive information or data on your phone, so can afford to hand your trust over to devs in blind faith.

For some of us though (and particularly if android is ever to break into the corporate or enterprise market), the level of permissions is important.

You can say "he's obviously legit" all you want, but you're naive if you think it's 100% safe - would you email someone your credit card details, even if "you thought he was legit".

'Just sayin!
 
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Visibility of permissions required is there for a reason. Obv for you guys, you have zero sensitive information or data on your phone, so can afford to hand your trust over to devs in blind faith.

For some of us though (and particularly if android is ever to break into the corporate or enterprise market), the level of permissions is important.

You can say "he's obviously legit" all you want, but you're naive if you think it's 100% safe - would you email someone your credit card details, even if "you thought he was legit".

'Just sayin!

If you have sensitive data on your phone I would not be using android if I were you.
 
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Visibility of permissions required is there for a reason. Obv for you guys, you have zero sensitive information or data on your phone, so can afford to hand your trust over to devs in blind faith.

For some of us though (and particularly if android is ever to break into the corporate or enterprise market), the level of permissions is important.

You can say "he's obviously legit" all you want, but you're naive if you think it's 100% safe - would you email someone your credit card details, even if "you thought he was legit".

'Just sayin!

You know you sold your soul to Google when you buy an Android phone right? Google basically has ALL of the data you have on your phone! They basically have the ULTIMATE permission there is.

If you have sensitive data on your phone I would not be using android if I were you.

That's why the Blackberry is sitll the #1 Business phone :p
 
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Visibility of permissions required is there for a reason. Obv for you guys, you have zero sensitive information or data on your phone, so can afford to hand your trust over to devs in blind faith.

For some of us though (and particularly if android is ever to break into the corporate or enterprise market), the level of permissions is important.

You can say "he's obviously legit" all you want, but you're naive if you think it's 100% safe - would you email someone your credit card details, even if "you thought he was legit".

'Just sayin!
As stated time and again, the level of permissions is commensurate with the functionality of the app. LauncherPro does not ask for anything that is not tied to a fuction of the app.

If you are that paranoid about nefarious dev's then you may want to consider not installing any third party apps at all.
 
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I have talked with the devs of adw and launcherpro several times. They are both nice guys who are helpful and by downloading either program you are hoping they are legit. But to say you don't trust one but you do the other is not only naive but just dumb. Besides who really cares what permission either of them have cause they both have permission to your google account which means they both basically own your phone. Thank you Google.
 
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You know you sold your soul to Google when you buy an Android phone right? Google basically has ALL of the data you have on your phone! They basically have the ULTIMATE permission there is.



That's why the Blackberry is sitll the #1 Business phone :p


May be but not for long and I used to be a BB fan all the way til went Android and wouldn't go back. Things can be found out about people very easy no matter what smartphone we use whether we like it or not.
 
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ADW is superior but some people still cling to LP for whatever reason. I used LP Pro Plus and it sucked so I went back to ADW.. can't see myself changing again anytime soon.

I preferred ADW, but then it started force-closing too much on my Evo. I'm using LauncherPro now, but if ADW.Launcher gets better stability, I'll move back to it.

As for being too paranoid with the Android, you would probably not install most apps on the market if you studied there permissions.

I'm cautious on some things, but I'm not going to wear a tinfoil hat while I'm using an Android.
 
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If you have sensitive data on your phone I would not be using android if I were you.

Not so sensitive that i'd deprive myself of this renaissance!

You know you sold your soul to Google when you buy an Android phone right? Google basically has ALL of the data you have on your phone! They basically have the ULTIMATE permission there is.

Ye, but i trust google more than random developer guy!
 
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I liked ADW better then LP, but ADW caused all my widgets to stop updating after an hour, clocks, weather, you name it all stopped updating. Occasionally they would re-sync for an hour, but after that once agian, frozen and useless to me. Removed ADW and installed LP and all my widgets update fine again, no bugs or issues. Thank you LP!
 
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Not so sensitive that i'd deprive myself of this renaissance!



Ye, but i trust google more than random developer guy!

Wow. This doesn't even make sense. "I trust a corporation that is no doubt cashing in on every piece of information they get from my phone - legitimately or not - but this developer? No, screw that guy man. He's shady."

I personally couldn't care less. I've got nothing to hide, and being paranoid is a waste of time and unnecessary stress. If the developer of a Launcher (whichever it may be) wants to know what I'm looking for on Google, by all means go for it. Not like it's not being tracked by someone else anyways.

Chill out dude. You're being watched 24/7 anyways. ;)
 
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Is anyone here using launcher pro? I like the look of it, but the permissions are unbelievable:

-read your messages
-read and write your personal information, browser history, and contact info
-modify/delete sd card contents
-services that cost you money
-modify system tools
-discover and view known accounts
-full internet access


...does no one think that's a bit dodgy??

I will admit that a buddy just got his first Android, and he refuses to install apps because of the permissions it asks.

He said Apple protected it's iPhone users by screening all apps, but nobody is screening Android apps.

I told him he will be missing out on a lot of great apps.

Many on here including me link to Appbrain, but Androlib is the original online library and it includes the permissions for apps. AndroLib LINK

For example, ChompSMS requests:

pack.png
Package name : com.p1.chompsms

shield.png
System permissions : 23 Click here to show/hide list

  • android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
  • android.permission.READ_SMS
  • android.permission.WRITE_SMS
  • android.permission.READ_CONTACTS
  • android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS
  • android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE
  • android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS
  • android.permission.SEND_SMS
  • android.permission.INTERNET
  • android.permission.CALL_PHONE
  • android.permission.VIBRATE
  • android.permission.RECEIVE_MMS
  • android.permission.WAKE_LOCK
  • android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
  • android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE
  • android.permission.DISABLE_KEYGUARD
  • android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
  • com.android.launcher.permission.UNINSTALL_SHORTCUT
  • com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT
  • android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS
  • android.permission.READ_LOGS
  • android.permission.INTERNET
  • android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION

I ask if it would be better to hide these permissions so it won't scare noobs away, but I do prefer to let users know what all they are installing.
 
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