Help The Most Ridiculous App Permissions Ever Asked

[Lana30]

Hi Friends,
I´m just curious, what are some of the most unnecessary app permissions you have ever been asked for? for example, a flashlight app that needs you location?? Thanks!

 

[mikedt]

Where to start? How about a flashlight app that has every permission there is, including phone calls and sending SMS?

 

[AZgl1500]

there is just no end to the amount of stupidity in some of these kiddie developers who just grab a module, tweak it and call it their 'app'.....

"Oh, I need a Permissions module"; so he just goes out and finds one.... is it relevant to what he is doing?

hell no, does he even give it a thought as to what all of that means? Hell no....
he is a Script Kiddie and should not be allowed to change his own diapers.

When I see that kind of stuff, I uninstall the app and write it off my list, as pure trash akin to porno crap.

 

[Hadron]

That's assuming it is ignorance. There have been cases of flashlight apps using those permissions to steal personal data.

 

[AZgl1500]

that too, and should have mentioned that "not so minor detail"

 

[Lana30]

What apps have these unnecessary permissions?

 

[scary alien]

What apps have these unnecessary permissions?

Why give exposure or link to apps that are on the sketchy side of reputable?

If there's a specific, nefarious app that someone knows about, hopefully they'll report it to Google.

Otherwise, everyone should carefully assess / review / evaluate the permissions on an app before one installs it--if it doesn't make sense, then don't install it (or contact the developer for an explanation).

 

[chanchan05]

Why give exposure or link to apps that are on the sketchy side of reputable?

If there's a specific, nefarious app that someone knows about, hopefully they'll report it to Google.

Otherwise, everyone should carefully assess / review / evaluate the permissions on an app before one installs it--if it doesn't make sense, then don't install it (or contact the developer for an explanation).

So people can know about them and avoid them?

 

[scary alien]

So people can know about them and avoid them?

I get what you're saying, but why have a free-for-all and list apps--and give exposure to--that someone is not necessarily looking for?

That's why I'd advocate due-diligence on the user's part of reviewing an app's permissions vs. apparent needs, documentations (market description, web site), ratings (but ignore the comments--don't get me started about comments ), etc.