Posted on January 27, 2012 by Greg Blankinship

Google Makes Android Users Choose Between Privacy And Functionality

As part of the continued assault on consumers’ on-line privacy, Google has announced its plan to substantially increase the amount of data it collects from its users. Unfortunately, announcements by corporations that they will increase data mining efforts are nothing new: what is especially pernicious with regard to Google’s announcement is that there is no opt-out procedure – if you want to use Google’s services, you have to agree to be tracked starting on March 1.

Google’s new privacy plan enables it to track users across all Google platforms, which includes Gmail, Google+, YouTube and Google’s search engine. This change will allow Google to reap even more advertising revenue as it enables marketers to more accurately target ads at likely Google users. In other words, Google will be able to help e-retailers bombard users with unwanted and annoying advertisements because it will have developed a much more complete and robust profile for each of its users. Unfortunately, for those who feel their on-line searching, buying and viewing habits are private and should not be subjected to corporate ownership, which means never using Google again or submitting to the indignity of invasive data mining.

While there may be an argument that there is no harm to Google users because they can stop using Google services if they do not agree to privacy invasions, Android users do not have that luxury. Because Android phones have Google operating systems, it is impossible to use all of the vital functions available in an Android phone without being logged in to a Google account. For example, users could not use Gmail, download apps from the Android Marketplace, or use chat functions. In other words, Android users have the Hobson’s choice of either giving up their on-line privacy or giving up many of the Android functions that make the phones viable competitors to iPhone or BlackBerry devices.

If you have an Android phone and are dissatisfied with Google’s heavy handed privacy tactics, please contact us to discuss your legal options.

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Posted on August 22, 2011 by Donald J. Scialabba

Android Apps Leaks Can Be Expensive

In recent times there have been great strides made in the means of communication and the dissemination of information. We now have the ability to make telephone calls from virtually anywhere with our cell phones, and obtain instant information on every possible subject with our laptop computers, smart phones, iPads and Android Operating Systems. These enhanced means of obtaining information and communication do, however, have very serious associated risks .

At the present time there are more than 250,000 apps, games and widgets available through the Android market. Furthermore, with the domination of Android-based phones in the smart phone market, and the Android Market website, there are great opportunities available for hackers.

Recently, a security firm found more than 800 Android apps were leaking personal data, and sending the information to unauthorized servers. Furthermore, Symantec recently posted an analysis of "Android.Pjapps", a back door Trojan horse that Chinese hackers used to hijack the legit Steamy Windows app. It was found that the malware infiltrated a user’s smart phone to send invisible text messages to premium rate numbers which then rewarded the hackers with a commission. It is obvious that this type of hacking can result in substantial expense to an unsuspecting consumer.

Although the possibility of being the victim of hackers is very real, at the present time, most Android malware Is not very sophisticated, and this improper activity is usually conducted with minimal user interaction. Hackers usually seek to have users trigger the malicious application quickly so that there is a high infection rate of devices. However, in time Android malware will, undoubtedly, become more sophisticated and, resultantly, the risk of being subjected to these hackers will substantially increase.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of cybercriminals, please contact us to discuss your legal rights.

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