Thinking about installing Pocket Ranger - Better read this!

DiskDoctr wrote:
Retrieve list of running or installed apps
Read your contacts
Retrieve your browsing history and bookmarks

And many other very worrisome permissions, according to google Play Store and Appbrain.

This was advertised at PA state park, so thought I'd check it out. NO WAY!!!

Time to raise a BIG RED FLAG on this app!

I will have to look at that app but many apps read your contact list, because they interface with your E-mail program in order to send a message (At your request) to a friend, No reason for any app to need your browsing history and bookmarks UNLESS it is also a browser.

Many apps monitor the state of the phone (Phone calls) cause when the phone rings, they go into pause till you hang up.

But I agree, this one deserves careful scrutiny before you install it. Less it is installed on a "Virgin" phone (no contacts or browser history and only factory installed bookmarks, not Virgin Mobile).

I may visit their web page and wee if I can see why they need these permissions.


Ok, went to the web page and read the flyer... It needs to be able to access contacts for some of the features,

It does not need bookmarks or history however for any of the advertised features nor does it need to know MOST running applications, Since it includes a server weather alert feature it needs to know if you are already running one of those. And, well, there are a few other apps it might need to know about, but basically I think they are asking for more than I care to give.

fj12ryder wrote:
But the owner does have the ability to opt out. Don't install the app. It certainly isn't anything that prolongs your life. I don't have this app, because I don't have a smart phone, and I don't feel my quality of life has suffered in any way because of that. They're just another gadget.

Now you understand the purpose of this thread- to warn fellow state park campers of the excessive and completely unnecessary attack on your privacy IF you install the app.

IF you choose to do so. That is the choice and the purpose of the warning.

But the owner does have the ability to opt out. Don't install the app. It certainly isn't anything that prolongs your life. I don't have this app, because I don't have a smart phone, and I don't feel my quality of life has suffered in any way because of that. They're just another gadget.

fj12ryder wrote:
"Evilness"? Isn't that a bit over the top? :)

Intended in the IT sense. Taking sensitive info to be used to the detriment of the owner and without the ability of the owner to opt out.

Yeah, evilness is almost strong enough ;)

"Evilness"? Isn't that a bit over the top? :)

I use NoRoot Firewall, which has limited custom filtering. You would be amazed how many things access the net without your knowledge and permission.

Yes, Google is horrible for privacy. For Apple users, the new data center will not be your friend once you see who is behind it...

It's a shame. Remember when we had to fight the 'Commies' because they intimidated their citizens, listening in on their phone calls and hauling them away in the middle of the night without any rights?

Remember how we had to liberate those poor, oppressed people?

So now we have smart phones with apps that don't even pretend to hide their evilness.

And that's where I'd better stop, to avoid political posting against the rules ;)

BroncosFan wrote:
Good write up you might like OP. At the bottom is advice to Monitor and Tweak App Permissions On Your Own
http://lifehacker.com/5991099/why-does-this-android-app-need-so-many-permissions

Unfortunately, you can't change permissions unless you've rooted. At one point Google included the ability to selectively disable permissions for an app, but they said including it "was a mistake" and it was never intended for public release so it's now gone.

Good write up you might like OP. At the bottom is advice to Monitor and Tweak App Permissions On Your Own
http://lifehacker.com/5991099/why-does-this-android-app-need-so-many-permissions

fj12ryder wrote:
If you're using apps on a smart phone, privacy is not an option. :)

It is amazing. Personally I run as few as possible and use the browser to access websites like I am doing right now to type this. Provides more security than an app for sure... except the browser is an "app"!!

DiskDoctr wrote:

A state sponsored app that has access to ALL your installed apps, browsing history, and bookmarks, and your response is that of a smartass 13 yr old.

Go ahead and install it, trojans that track you, and any other spyware you can find. After all, nothing to worry about, it's only your private data...

For the adults reading this, consider if you really want to give all your private info to that developer before installing this app.

You do know you're using a phone with an operating system created by arguably the largest information collection and tracking company in the world, right? I didn't see anything this app accesses that isn't needed by one or more of its features.