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Ask HN: Why does Facebook for Android want to read my texts?
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...
- bmelton 13y agoMight have something to do with this? http://www.complex.com/tech/2013/01/facebook-messager-app-update-adds-voice-messages-and-voice-calls 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.
- eco 13y agoFacebook has a page they maintain that describes why they request the permissions they do. https://www.facebook.com/help/210676372433246 https://www.facebook.com/help/210676372433246
- arbales 13y agoApps 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.