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winterblink
30
Jul 22, 2016
Again I'm tempted to buy a product but then find it's using the same lighting app as those accent lights. The permissions on the Play Store it requires on installation are VERY CONCERNING:
Version V2.4.0 can access: Location -approximate location (network-based) SMS -receive text messages (SMS) Phone -read phone status and identity -reroute outgoing calls Photos/Media/Files -read the contents of your USB storage -modify or delete the contents of your USB storage Storage -read the contents of your USB storage -modify or delete the contents of your USB storage Microphone -record audio Wi-Fi connection information -view Wi-Fi connections Device ID & call information -read phone status and identity Other -pair with Bluetooth devices -access Bluetooth settings
Elevas
50
Jul 25, 2016
winterblinkWith the new Android you could block specific permissions if you're really concerned.
winterblink
30
Jul 25, 2016
ElevasAgreed, however that doesn't help a significant percentage of people out there with devices stuck on older versions. And really it's a trust thing: if they don't need the permissions they shouldn't ask for them. It's a quick fix to update an app to reduce permissions usage.
Elevas
50
Jul 25, 2016
winterblinkI agree. I was thinking of purchasing both this and the bulbs, but that app does make me rethink this whole thing.
CanadianN1nj4
83
Aug 12, 2016
winterblinkFor apps the developers have to set the permissions and it's not sure easy so most in previous versions of Android just requested all and only used some. That's what it most likely is but you never know
winterblink
30
Aug 12, 2016
CanadianN1nj4Developers have always been able to explicitly specify the permission groups (older versions) that they would like. Newer versions let them specify individual permissions at the time of use, but they still list the requested ones on install. If you go to the page and try to install it, you will get immediately prompted for the permissions I listed at the time of installation.
My concern is that some of those listed have nothing to do with the app's intended function, and quite honestly look like the application could be used to do some pretty concerning things.
CanadianN1nj4
83
Aug 12, 2016
winterblinkYes, I get that. The thing is that developers are still lazy and instead asking for specific permissions for each thing they just asked all of them at once. And I think they fixed that with the new app version as I downloaded it and it asked just for Bluetooth and location