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by indymike
1411 days ago
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> Device and OS makers should transparently and clearly define what features can be accessed by apps, and allow them to easily be administered and disabled easily by device users... Period. Then penalties for abuse and misuse can be addressed for app makers with severe fines. The problem is that the device and os makers are also app makers, and often can circumvent the protections forced down the chain with private apis and hidden features. Yes, app makers can do evil things, but so to can those vendors below them in the stack. Also, trying to blame and fine will eventually eliminate open source and free solutions because it will force members of open source projects to accept liability. |
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That being said, even an open source developer can potentially conduct info gathering and/or do serious damage to any consumer that installs their app, so in many cases, there would be no offense cited if there isn't malintent or negligence involved.
We're far past the point where regulation should have been in place. A serious example should be set to create a proper message about this type of activity by private companies and individuals. It is really not necessary for private companies to gather this personal info on individuals for any app. It should be in everyone's best interest to end this espionage-for-profit activity, even if it devastates the opportunistic industry that activity created.