Flashlight apps on your smartphone

[OakRidgeStars]

No tinfoil hattery here, folks. This is a very real threat to your privacy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8xz8xKEFvU

Take it from someone with 20+ years in the cellular industry.

[FiremanBob]

Very interesting. My Sprint phone came with a flashlight app that does not seem to be one of these downloaded types. I installed Snoopwall's privacy app and it said the only permission the flashlight app uses is to prevent sleeping. So it seems I'm ok?

I wish there were a way to delete all the stupid bloatware that Sprint put on my phone, such as NASCAR and Facebook. I don't trust those apps either.

[trailrunner]

This seems to be limited to Android phones.

In the video, the guy says that the malware is stealing credit card information. First of all, I don't have that stored on my phone.

Second, when you go to his company's website:

http://www.snoopwall.com/threat-reports-10-01-2014/

I couldn't find any mention on this page that the apps were stealing CC info, so I'm thinking this guy hyped it up on TV to draw attention to his company. Some quick googling found an instance of a malware app that was recording location information even when the user tried to disallow it, and the FCC told them to stop.

[OakRidgeStars]

Apps like Brightest Flashlight are grabbing location and usage data. I think the CC data grab claims are a bit exaggerated but not impossible if your phone has a NFC wallet account.

Privacy Flashlight is the safest app to use.

[SHMIV]

I note that a lot of apps seem to want a lot of info from your phone, that really is unnecessary for the app in question. I guess that the app programmer is selling that information.

I've noticed that a photo editing app, for example, wanted access to my contact list, my location, and, well pretty much, everything on my phone that I have access to. I decided that I didn't want that app. I've also noticed the same thing with many other types of apps.

I've never needed the flashlight apps. I own actual flashlights.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Palladin]

...I've never needed the flashlight apps. I own actual flashlights.

And I'll bet the personal defense app on the flashlight is way more effective than the throwing the phone at someone...

[OakRidgeStars]

First, the obligatory Snopes article on this report:

http://www.snopes.com/computer/internet/flashlight.asp

Second, I didn't make any claims that cybercriminals were harvesting your data. Only that the makers of these apps have access to way more stuff on your phone then they should. You can decide for yourself if this is a privacy threat or not.

[jdonovan]

According to Snoopwall (who recommends using their flashlight instead of competitors' apps)

the sound of credibility going wooooooooosh!

[SportScout]

Dude only mentions Google Play Store and Fox News only shows Apple iPhones and ios native flashlight icon. Way to confuse the public.