4 ms·

Did you install their app or the messenger on iOS or Android? They can read your number there.

eterm 11y ago
Just because they can, doesn't mean they should. I'm fairly accepting that every android app asks for "permission to read ..." permissions, but I don't want them to be so proud of this that they present their information back to me. That's what is so creepy about Facebook, they've lost sense of what is normal, so they don't hesitate to show off how much they know. I'm sure Google knows a lot more about me, but they have the sense not to parade that fact back to me unless I specifically ask.
- kamjam 11y ago
  I don't know why people install the Facebook app on their phone. You can't view stuff offline, meaning you might as well just go to m.facebook.com, the browsing experience is pretty similar AND you don't need to install that stupid messenger app AND they can't access stuff on your phone. They shouldn't, but the pessimist in me says they will. Same with LinkedIn, who installs this crap? And why? Of course, there's plenty of other crap on my phone that I've installed and is exposing me...
  - shanemhansen 11y ago
    After Facebook announced frictionless sharing I removed their app and only log in via mobile browser in a private tab. For me Facebook is a necessary evil. I'm not willing to miss the family trips that only get planned there so I just attempt to minimize damage.
    - kamjam 11y ago
      I get that, and I'm exactly the same. I'm not saying I don't need facebook, it's very useful for keeping up with people from around the world. I just need instant notifications (like you) :p
- randallsquared 11y ago
  > That's what is so creepy about Facebook, they've lost sense of what is normal, so they don't hesitate to show off how much they know. Maybe what's normal has changed out from under you.
xxs 11y ago
This is a false statement (unless it's a very very old version of android). Provide a reference to back it up.
- EwanToo 11y ago
  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.katana https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.k... The permissions include: Device ID & call information read phone status and identity From: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/6014972?hl=en https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/6014972?hl=en Device ID & call information An app can access your device ID(s), phone number, whether you're on the phone, and the number connected by a call. Device ID & call information may include the ability to read phone status and identity.
  - xxs 11y ago
    Regardless what google policy says: the way to get the phone number is via: TelephonyManager.getLine1Number()[1] Which returns "null" unless the operator actually stores the phone number in the SIM so it can be read from there (also it can be modified to be anything). While technically possible, I have not seen it in practice for long time (since 2010 or so). On iPhone it's not possible for an application to obtain the phone number[2]. There was a semi-hack doing so and Apple rejected the applications off the store and closed the loop. (reading SBFormattedPhoneNumber)[3]. In 2013 there was another exploit to obtain it but it has been addressed as well. [1]: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/telephony/TelephonyManager.html http://developer.android.com/reference/android/telephony/Tel... [2]: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=GNa4Vc3ODuxxxxrQCg#q=for+security+reasons%2C+iPhone+OS+restricts+an+application https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=GNa4Vc3ODuxxxxrQCg#... --it's google search with the reject terms [3]: https://www.cocoanetics.com/2009/11/forbidden-fruit-apple-apis/ https://www.cocoanetics.com/2009/11/forbidden-fruit-apple-ap...
    - EwanToo 11y ago
      Some network providers don't write the phone number to the SIM, plenty of others do.
LoSboccacc 11y ago
or their OTHER messaging app, whatsapp :P and the number can also come from a friend phonebook within one of the aforementioned apps

eterm 11y ago

Just because they can, doesn't mean they should. I'm fairly accepting that every android app asks for "permission to read ..." permissions, but I don't want them to be so proud of this that they present their information back to me. That's what is so creepy about Facebook, they've lost sense of what is normal, so they don't hesitate to show off how much they know. I'm sure Google knows a lot more about me, but they have the sense not to parade that fact back to me unless I specifically ask.

kamjam 11y ago
I don't know why people install the Facebook app on their phone. You can't view stuff offline, meaning you might as well just go to m.facebook.com, the browsing experience is pretty similar AND you don't need to install that stupid messenger app AND they can't access stuff on your phone. They shouldn't, but the pessimist in me says they will. Same with LinkedIn, who installs this crap? And why? Of course, there's plenty of other crap on my phone that I've installed and is exposing me...
- shanemhansen 11y ago
  After Facebook announced frictionless sharing I removed their app and only log in via mobile browser in a private tab. For me Facebook is a necessary evil. I'm not willing to miss the family trips that only get planned there so I just attempt to minimize damage.
  - kamjam 11y ago
    I get that, and I'm exactly the same. I'm not saying I don't need facebook, it's very useful for keeping up with people from around the world. I just need instant notifications (like you) :p
randallsquared 11y ago
> That's what is so creepy about Facebook, they've lost sense of what is normal, so they don't hesitate to show off how much they know. Maybe what's normal has changed out from under you.

xxs 11y ago

This is a false statement (unless it's a very very old version of android). Provide a reference to back it up.

EwanToo 11y ago
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.katana https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.facebook.k... The permissions include: Device ID & call information read phone status and identity From: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/6014972?hl=en https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/6014972?hl=en Device ID & call information An app can access your device ID(s), phone number, whether you're on the phone, and the number connected by a call. Device ID & call information may include the ability to read phone status and identity.
- xxs 11y ago
  Regardless what google policy says: the way to get the phone number is via: TelephonyManager.getLine1Number()[1] Which returns "null" unless the operator actually stores the phone number in the SIM so it can be read from there (also it can be modified to be anything). While technically possible, I have not seen it in practice for long time (since 2010 or so). On iPhone it's not possible for an application to obtain the phone number[2]. There was a semi-hack doing so and Apple rejected the applications off the store and closed the loop. (reading SBFormattedPhoneNumber)[3]. In 2013 there was another exploit to obtain it but it has been addressed as well. [1]: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/telephony/TelephonyManager.html http://developer.android.com/reference/android/telephony/Tel... [2]: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=GNa4Vc3ODuxxxxrQCg#q=for+security+reasons%2C+iPhone+OS+restricts+an+application https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=GNa4Vc3ODuxxxxrQCg#... --it's google search with the reject terms [3]: https://www.cocoanetics.com/2009/11/forbidden-fruit-apple-apis/ https://www.cocoanetics.com/2009/11/forbidden-fruit-apple-ap...
  - EwanToo 11y ago
    Some network providers don't write the phone number to the SIM, plenty of others do.

LoSboccacc 11y ago

or their OTHER messaging app, whatsapp :P and the number can also come from a friend phonebook within one of the aforementioned apps