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Some iOS Apps Sending an Alarming Amount of Data to Facebook and Most Users Are Unaware

acorntoy said:
Facebook is freakin creepy.


Stop using it people. Just stop.

The massive amount of people using Facebook is what has allowed it to garner this type of power with third parties. Facebook continues to have massive scandals and the same people who are outraged go and check on it two minutes later. People need to stop using it, delete their accounts, and eventually it will not have this kind of power.
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Trouble is, if a person stops using it but people they talk/message/Tweet/Instagram or send app data to does use Facebook then that data gets sent even if the person doesn’t use Facebook. You need your family, friends and contact to all stop using it. Considering how few people care that they’re being monitored that isn’t very likely.
 
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I hate that Apple is forced to be reactionary in these cases, but what else can they do?
 
MacRumors said:

Instant Heart Rate: HR Monitor, for example, the most popular heart rate app on iOS, sent a user's heart rate to Facebook right after it was recorded in The Wall Street Journal's testing. Flo Period & Ovulation Tracker, which has 25 million active users, tells Facebook when a user is having a period or is intending to get pregnant.
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I'm no lawyer, but those look like HIPPA violations to me. HIPPA violations have some VERY big penalties...
 
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212rikanmofo said:
That's why I said **** off to Facebook and Google. 2 of the most disgusting and inhumane things ever on the internet. Stop using these services and teach the younger generation about them so that they can be well informed.

On 2nd thought, Apple should remove and ban Facebook, and Google apps on the app store and any other apps that are made by them.
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What do you think would happen if Apple did that?
 
Instead of trying to force Apple to do random things, call your senetors both Democrat & Republican to tell them about this incident. Also tell them to regulate Facebook.
 
MLVC said:
Never used the mentioned apps, but where's the full list? There must be somebody with a subscription on WSJ out there.
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If you clear cookies and cache or switch browsers you should be able to read it. On a smartphone it has been forcing people to get a subscription recently to read news articles
 
They should at the least stop approving App Store updates for their lineup. Start treating them as the greedy data broker they are instead of some genius Silicon Valley innovator.
 
No wonder WWDC is always packed to the gills needing a lottery to get in. The temptation to make some app & sell personal data to advertisers is just too tempting. I agree with others. Apple's ruse of privacy is just a sham. The reality distortion field gone haywire. Not only is there no privacy, they continue to try to convince their customers that they've got your back covered- when in reality they're letting anyone track it. Ug
 
Before 75% of you people jump to conclusions as usual and once again blame Tim Cook for everything from Facebook to Imagine Dragons, do these apps in question ask for permission?
 
This is going to be a cat and mouse game. iOS could put notices whenever an app accesses the internet (ie what address, etc). Sure it would suck, but it would be a way to alert the user. The workaround - the data goes through the app owner and to facebook.
 
tzm41 said:
Woof, and people keep talking about the walled garden protecting them
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These apps all require people to use FaceBook log in. You can't complain about a walled garden protecting you when you choose to be a FaceBook user and authenticate yourself to apps using your FaceBook account, especially when FaceBook's terms of service state that you agree to share your data.
 
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now i see it said:
No wonder WWDC is always packed to the gills needing a lottery to get in. The temptation to make some app & sell personal data to advertisers is just too tempting. I agree with others. Apple's ruse of privacy is just a sham. The reality distortion field gone haywire. Not only is there no privacy, they continue to try to convince their customers that they've got your back covered- when in reality they're letting anyone track it. Ug
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If Apple exerted more control over apps in the store , there would be a backlash. I’m sure they’ve spoken about other apps and choices. You’re safe if you use their apps
 
az431 said:
These apps all require people to use FaceBook log in. You can't complain about a walled garden protecting you when you choose to be a FaceBook user and authenticate yourself to apps using your FaceBook account, especially when FaceBook's terms of service state that you agree to share your data.
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That's not true according to the article.
MacRumors said:
Facebook collects data from apps even if no Facebook account is used to log in and even if the user isn't a member of Facebook.
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Ok, I took one for the team and subscribed....

Does not appear to have a list...:(

I could PDF the entire article, but I think I'd get a smackdown here
 
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