Ask HN: Why does Facebook for Android want to read my texts?

7 pointsby rudyrigot13 yıl önce3 comments

I usually passively accept changes in app permissions during app updates on my Android, but when they come from a company known to like your personal information a bit too much, it catches my attention...

Does anyone know why Facebook's latest upgrade requests new permissions such as: * read your text messages * add / modify calendar events and send e-mails to guests without host's knowledge, read calendar events plus confidential information, read your own contact card

I haven't updated it yet, probably will anyway; but if someone has some insider's information about why they suddenly need that kind of stuff, it should be interesting to know...

3 comments

eco13 yıl önce

Facebook has a page they maintain that describes why they request the permissions they do.

https://www.facebook.com/help/210676372433246

arbales13 yıl önce

Apps have different reasons for accessing SMS messages: confirming phone numbers via SMS, SMS bridging like previous versions of Messenger or Hangouts, etc.

The link eco posted is the right place for everything else.

bmelton13 yıl önce

Might have something to do with this?

http://www.complex.com/tech/2013/01/facebook-messager-app-up...

I honestly don't know. There's been some chatter about Facebook Messenger listening in on your phone calls, and/or requesting access to your phone's microphone, but that information is from very dubious sources.