Pandora Subpoenaed In Probe of Mobile-App Privacy 50
ideaz writes "Pandora Media Inc., the largest Internet radio company, said it's been asked for information as part of a federal grand-jury probe into the way smartphone software developers handle personal data. Pandora isn't a specific target of the investigation and similar subpoenas have been issued to other publishers of apps that run on Apple's iPhone and Google's Android operating system, the company said in a securities filing today."
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This shouldn't even be on here.
I disagree. I think it's:
* good news that the government may finally be taking a serious interest in protecting user data.
* bad news that the government may try to start regulating personal data or application developers because let's face it, they rarely get it right (if ever).
Why I stopped using their app (Score:1)
I stopped using their app when it wanted access to the system logs. This includes all notifications of pretty much everything going on on your phone. It might help them debug the app, it might help them with advertisers. Who knows. I just knew their app wasn't worth it.
Probably their login method (Score:4, Informative)
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Then they shouldn't install ANY apps whatsoever, and wrap their phones in a layer of tinfoil, move out into a cave and never leave it!
Seriously though, I don't see problems with being tracked by Google through Latitude (which I use, keep my GPS online, and share my location with my friends), or Pandora (which, I don't use). It's not like their going to stalk you and peer in your windows while you sleep...
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Some people are paranoid when it comes down to being tracked.
Then i guess they should go live in a cave in the wilderness or something. The track cat is out of the bag and has been for the last 5 years or so.
You don't want to be tracked?
Don't get an ID, don't get an cell phones, don't use internet, don't use credit cards.
Do you understand? You are already being tracked and it is NOT going to stop.
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Incorrect use of a smart phone (Score:3)
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Because that is a unique ID per Phone not per User. Pandora accounts are unique to users, not phones.
Please tell me you are not involved in any sort of development.
Re:Probably their login method (Score:4, Informative)
Yep, and that's how I found iPhones that are returned as defective to the Apple Store make it back to the public.
I exchanged a 3GS that was spontaneously rebooting and syncing slowly or not at all, even after a DFU Restore (which is why I honestly believe jailbreaking can damage your flash, especially after I had it happen to TWO jailbroken 3GS's... but that's another story.)
Anyway, I had Pandora on it. I didn't reinstall Pandora right away on my replacement phone, but when I finally did (months later) and logged into my Pandora account, my stations had been replaced with a bunch of stuff I would never listen to. So explain to me how that happened, other than someone using the phone that was supposedly returned to Apple?
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I'd imagine the phone was refurbished and either sold again as such (hardly an uncommon practice) or passed off as new (again hardly uncommon, but definitely naughty). Neither of these things preclude it being returned to Apple and the refurbishment performed by them.
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UUIDs are unique per phone hardware (I think they're derived from an internal serial number embedded either in flash, the CPU, or a mixture of all sorts of entr
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Has anyone figured out what these posts are all about?
Don't know this is what it is. But it would be an interesting way to use Steganography to broadcast or exchange a small amount of information.
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Not Surprised Pandora Got Called Out on This (Score:3)
I uninstalled Pandora from my phone the second they wanted permissions to access my calendar. I don't care so much that they know who my contacts are, but the details of my personal appointments are much more sensitive. Still, I knew the price and was free not to pay it. It's not like Android doesn't warn you when the permissions change.
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I'm not really sure how that would help - surely untrustworthy apps (or those that legitimately need the refused permission) will simply fail, thus gaining you nothing? Either way you're not going to be using the app.
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You don't, but Apple does. I'm sure it's their policy to reject an app that accesses a user's contact list or calendar (for example) which doesn't reasonably make use of.
Personally, I'd rather have a procedure like happens when an app requests access to the location data, but this is yet another situation where Apple's "walled garden" provides value to the average user.
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Personally, I'd rather have a procedure like happens when an app requests access to the location data, but this is yet another situation where Apple's "walled garden" provides value to the average user.
I disagree, and I live in that walled garden. I would much prefer each app ask me for the permissions it needs, every single one of them, before it has access to my data.
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Personally, I'd rather have a procedure like happens when an app requests access to the location data, but this is yet another situation where Apple's "walled garden" provides value to the average user.
I disagree, and I live in that walled garden. I would much prefer each app ask me for the permissions it needs, every single one of them, before it has access to my data.
If you were to re-read what I wrote, I think you'd find you don't disagree with me.
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Well, now I'm more confused. I don't know if you're still disagreeing with me or not. I did state I wanted more detailed security options, like what you said you wanted. I'm pretty sure I didn't imply I was alone in this.
We may just have to agree to agree on this...?
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http://blog.pandora.com/faq/contents/1643.html [pandora.com]
The reasons they give are actually pretty good. IF you want to send your stations to a friend, it needs email and contacts. IF you want to add a concert, etc to your calendar, it needs calendar access. It uses GPS to give better targeted advertising (Metallica at the MCI center on )
I installed Pandora... (Score:2, Interesting)
And didn't uninstall it, especially when I realized I could get free, high quality music I actually enjoyed..
Anywhere. Music statistically optimized by my taste by doing little more than suggesting a few bands, then saying "Sucks, skip it" or "This rocks" a few times.
In the car? Internet>3G>Iphone>bluetooth>aftermarket bluetooth car deck.
No wires. Touch the screen of my phone and stuff it back in my pocket and forget it while driving. Got a phone call? Music pauses, in-car stero becomes speakerp
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Google has the problem of telling you all of the things an app will access, but not telling you why.
I also find that annoying at times, but realistically what can Google do? Demand to see the source code and implement a scheme to ensure that what they see is what is actually compiled in to the app? Or change the API to require a message that is displayed at permission request time, and trust the developers not to lie?
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And didn't uninstall it, especially when I realized I could get free, high quality music I actually enjoyed..
Anywhere.
Anywhere in the US. That's great for you, but sucks for the rest of us.
avoid dictionary.com app! (Score:2)
Second, their app for the blackberry wants access to ALL of your information, including calendar, contacts, files, email, SMS, etc... If you deny any of those permissions, the app won't work.
Moreover, I sent 2 emails to