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FTA: "Of course, the use of your microphone with these apps is well understood by users, because that's the main purpose of the app. The new apps are often sn

FTA: "Of course, the use of your microphone with these apps is well understood by users, because that's the main purpose of the app. The new apps are often sneakier about it. The vast majority of people who use the Color app, for example, have no idea that their microphones are being activated to gather sounds. Welcome to the future." With all due respect those users are morons. Color is, rightly, proud of their "snooping" technology. People who use Color will probably know it records audio through the microphone. The proper question is: to what extent may people be permitted to degrade their privacy? For example, if both parties in a two-way call agreed to have the call recorded for advertising purposes, and to have ads interjected once every two minutes into the media stream, in exchange for the call being free, should that be allowed? The Libertarian in me says yes. But sometimes people need to be protected from their own stupidity. Or do they? Hmm.

deleted 16y ago
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sudonim 16y ago
I doubt most people are aware of that. I stopped paying attention to news about color after I tried the app. I only learned this "feature" of color because I was reading news about snooping.
Goronmon 16y ago
With all due respect those users are morons. Color is, rightly, proud of their "snooping" technology. People who use Color will probably know it records audio through the microphone. I guess that makes me a moron, because I had no clue it was doing this. It also makes me glad I uninstalled it. Not that it actually worked anyways. But your arrogance isn't unique I guess. I just hope you know pretending to be better than others doesn't actually make it true.
- 18pfsmt 16y ago
  I think you are taking his comment to personally. I don't think anyone thinks you are a moron for not knowing, but because of the sensitive nature of the data on any of my computing devices, I'm extremely paranoid. I certainly don't install anything the day it is announced. I read the launch coverage (several different blogs, actually), and this information was available in those posts. It's easy to get caught up in the hype, but it only takes one time getting "burned" to learn from that.
- asymptotic 16y ago
  I take my comment back, I apologise. I've just realised that the Apple App Store does not clearly tell users what permissions a given application requires. Go to any application on the Android Market, e.g. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.groceryking&feature=search_result https://market.android.com/details?id=com.groceryking&fe... and then click on "Permissions". Before installing anything on an Android you can immediately and clearly tell what it's going to do. Do I want my shopping list application to be able to directly make phone calls? I don't think so, hence I won't install this app. Does this exist on the Apple App Store? Honest question, I've never used it.

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sudonim 16y ago

I doubt most people are aware of that. I stopped paying attention to news about color after I tried the app. I only learned this "feature" of color because I was reading news about snooping.

Goronmon 16y ago

With all due respect those users are morons. Color is, rightly, proud of their "snooping" technology. People who use Color will probably know it records audio through the microphone. I guess that makes me a moron, because I had no clue it was doing this. It also makes me glad I uninstalled it. Not that it actually worked anyways. But your arrogance isn't unique I guess. I just hope you know pretending to be better than others doesn't actually make it true.

18pfsmt 16y ago
I think you are taking his comment to personally. I don't think anyone thinks you are a moron for not knowing, but because of the sensitive nature of the data on any of my computing devices, I'm extremely paranoid. I certainly don't install anything the day it is announced. I read the launch coverage (several different blogs, actually), and this information was available in those posts. It's easy to get caught up in the hype, but it only takes one time getting "burned" to learn from that.
asymptotic 16y ago
I take my comment back, I apologise. I've just realised that the Apple App Store does not clearly tell users what permissions a given application requires. Go to any application on the Android Market, e.g. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.groceryking&feature=search_result https://market.android.com/details?id=com.groceryking&fe... and then click on "Permissions". Before installing anything on an Android you can immediately and clearly tell what it's going to do. Do I want my shopping list application to be able to directly make phone calls? I don't think so, hence I won't install this app. Does this exist on the Apple App Store? Honest question, I've never used it.