Droid Apps privacy question

[windycitymom]

As a former iphone user who is brand new to the DroidX, can someone explain to me why most of the droid apps require "full internet access" and "read phone state and identify" and "prevent phone from sleeping" and "find your GPS location"??? WTH? I never had to give this kind of permission with the iphone apps, so please explain as I don't want anyone being able to access my private information. If I don't give permission, then I can't download the app. Why is this just a droid thing? Anybody else have privacy concerns?

 

[jndb93]

I don't have an iphone nor have I ever had one. However, from the information in the following links it appears as if the same information was being collected on your iphone as your droid. The only difference is your droid is asking your permission and your iphone shared your information without asking for your permission.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/dear_iphone_users_your_apps_are_spying_on_you.php

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576020083703574602.html

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10446402-245.html

http://www.macworld.com/article/154595/2010/10/iphone_udid.html

 

[vsimeone]

I know the "read phone state" is so that an app doesn't interfere with a phone call. I don't know what the "tech specs" are behind any of the other typical permissions. I've had my phone since September and have downloaded quite a few apps. I always read as many reviews as I can first but I have never had a problem yet (that I know of anyway!)

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

prevent from sleep - you may have noticed your phone sleeps after a min or so. This will stop while the app is running.

GPS - some apps need your location to work such as where, yelp

Read the reviews. Check the ratings. See how many people have downloaded it. All this info is on the market page for the app. If it's popular and well reviewed, you will be fine.