After learning yesterday that Google can access around 74% of all Android devices it doesn’t come as a shock that many Android apps send a lot of data back to app manufacturers and the like. what is interesting is how much of this data is actually a total waste. MIT researchers have determined that “much” of the hidden data sent and received by the 500 most popular Android apps isn’t necessary to the functionality.
Here is an example from the US – The Walmart app talks to eBay whenever you scan a bar-code, there’s no practical difference when you sever that connection. Out of the 47 apps that MIT modified to prove its case, 30 were virtually indistinguishable from the official versions. The rest only had minor issues, like missing ads.
This however does not point to suspicious data itself (or that this is purely and Android issue). More than half of the data consists out of crash and performance related reports – which you find on the iOS and other platforms as well. Some of it may simply help the app run more effectively, such as fetching content so that the app keeps working if you’re knocked offline. The biggest concern however is that the the apps do not inform the users of its background activity or what the communications are used for. Although most communication activity might be harmless, there’s a concern that a less-than-careful app developer could put your info at risk without a good reason.
In a world where online privacy is squarely in the spotlight, this issue might just be another avenue for online criminals.
Source: Engadget
Follow Jaco on Twitter: @Jaco_vdWalt
