[winternett]

Regulation can be defined to exempt certain aspects of app making. It's not just an on/off switch.

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.