Facebook May Have Consent, but Not Approval(choosetoencrypt.com)
choosetoencrypt.com
Facebook May Have Consent, but Not Approval
https://choosetoencrypt.com/privacy/facebook-may-have-consent-but-not-approval/
1 comments
I agree that there are larger issues here. However, as you mention, there is a disconnect between "non-savvy users" and the Android operating system. If these users also have Facebook it may be one specific example that they can directly apply to themselves.
I agree that data collection is a major issue though, and it probably extends beyond what 99% of people perceive it as.
I agree that data collection is a major issue though, and it probably extends beyond what 99% of people perceive it as.
Exactly! Facebook is acting as the scapegoat right now, even though the breaches into its users privacy can be applied to most big tech companies right now.
As an example, iOS used to just show a dialog that mentions an app wants to use your location, and it was later changed to:
1. a dialog that asks if it's ok to use your location while "you use the App" with,
2. a required blurb by the app that specifies how it's used, and
3. a separate dialog for when the usage of your location also applies "even when you are not using the app", with a clear option to instead grant the permission only if the app is running in the foreground.
iOS also warns you when you use a custom keyboard if the keyboard would wants "full access". And clearly explains this means it would "transmit anything you type, including things you have previously typed with this keyboard", including "sensitive information such as your credit card numbers or street address".
I quoted directly from the dialog boxes because I think the wording is well crafted to make it very clear for non-savvy users. Android on the other hand literally just asks you if you want to use Messenger as your "SMS app". This tells nothing to the user, doesn't inform them what data can be accessed, what can be done with it (can it leave the phone?), nor gives the user any further options.
I know Facebook privacy is the hot-topic right now, but my problem with this is there's lots of other apps who can and probably have used these permissions too, and are probably storing this information. This is the opportunity to put Google under fire for their terrible Android permission system, which extends to random games asking for full phone access and a myriad of other sketchy things, but by focusing on Facebook this opportunity is being lost.