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| Photocredit:betanews.com. Verizon plans to install spyware |
Today, as reported by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Verizon has announced plans to install software on Android os devices that will observe which software customers down load and use. This data will be shared with other Verizon companies, including AOL, and used to push targeted advertising for you across the internet.
In the event that that does not sound all that bad, the EFF items out the advertisings could be based on things like “which bank you use and whether you’ve downloaded a fertility app. very well
The Android software in question is named AppFlash and while it looks like an easy launcher and web search tool, it has a worrying online privacy policy that shows the iphone app can, among other things:
Collect information about your device and your use of the AppFlash services. This information includes your mobile amount, device identifiers, device type and operating system, and information about the AppFlash features and services you use and your communications with them. We also access information about the set of software you have on your device.
AppFlash also collects information about your device’s precise location from your device working system as well as contact information you store on your device.
AppFlash information may be distributed within the Verizon family of companies, including companies like AOL who may put it to use to help provide more relevant advertising within the AppFlash activities and in other places, including non-Verizon sites, services and devices.
Verizon plans to start out rolling out the AppFlash iphone app to Android devices in the coming several weeks.
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The EFF is phoning on Verizon to “immediately abandon its plans to monitor its customers’ behaviours, and do what is actually paid to do: deliver quality Internet service without spying on users. inch Perhaps the communications giant will listen and scrap the idea is unclear, but for now it seems most unlikely. If if you’re a Verizon customer with an Android phone, you may want to think carefully about what software you download in the future if you don’t need advertisings relating to them showing up just about everywhere you go on the web.
Just in:Verizon plans to install spyware on ALL its Android phones
Update: The EFF says:
We have received additional information from Verizon and based on that information we are withdrawing this post while we investigate further. Here is the statement from Kelly Crummey, Director of Corporate Communications of Verizon: “As we said earlier this week, we are testing AppFlash to make app discovery better for consumers. The test is on a single phone — LG K20 V — and you have to opt-in to use the app. Or, you can easily disable the app. Nobody is required to use it. Verizon is committed to your privacy.
Visit www.verizon.com/about/privacy to view our Privacy Policy.
