Taken From XDA Portal
For the last few weeks, we have been intensely covering security and privacy issues that involve quite a few of the latest HTC devices (Sensation, EVO 3D, etc). It was discovered by XDA Recognized Developer TrevE that there are multiple apps and services that basically collect all sorts of information about our devices, their usage, and everything that is done on them to later on be sent to some Amazon cloud drive. HTC has come back a couple of times with official statements saying that the apps are indeed harmless and that the information collected is to basically help HTC and the carriers to improve their products and services to us. Moreover, they claimed that, at least, the HTC services can be opted out and they would stop collecting said information. Well, TrevE has been doing a lot of research as of lately and further proved that not only can these services not be turned off by regular means, but also has shown, by doing an experiment in a controlled environment, that the apps are inherently dangerous as they can be easily exploited by virtually any app that has android.permission.INTERNET enabled, which a ton of apps in the market currently do.
The kind of information that can be pulled from the device could be enough, potentially, to clone a device completely if the person receiving this knows how to do it. The app seems to allow the dump of virtually all stats and values by the device. Regardless of HTC’s motives to collect this information, the important part about this, and really the core of the issue, is that the information from these apps can be easily intercepted and sent anywhere to anyone. For the skeptics in the room, TrevE has put together a small demo app (proof of concept) that shows what could potentially happen when this is intercepted. He also has put together a Youtube video that shows exactly what is going on. It seems that the only real way to get rid of these services is by rooting the device and manually removing them, but there is no known way to remove them from an unrooted device.
HTC has been notified about the issue approximately 5 days ago and we are still waiting for a response, which they said they are working on. You will have to keep in mind that this is only the first app that TrevE is working on, and if you remember from previous articles, there are 5 of them. Long story short, you can expect one of these articles on XDA at least once a week for the next month or so.
Well, HTC, as you may see it, this is no longer about us wondering why you are getting our information, but it was discovered that whatever you are using to get it is simply not secure. For the sake of your customer’s privacy, we request that you take the proper measures and release any and all necessary patches to fix this for any and all devices being affected. This is about people’s data falling in the wrong hands, so please we ask that you take action on this soon.
HTCLogger allows any app that has access to android.permission.INTERNET on devices such as the evo3d to obtain full access to query sensitive info such as network/appusagestats/meid/esn/phone#/past 10 location broadcasts and last known locations/and more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoTUkQ7SlNU&feature=player_embedded
You can find the original thread here. Also, you can check if you are vulnerable by using the app found in this thread.
Want something published in the Portal? Contact any News Writer.
Thanks TrevE for the tip!
More links regaurding new findings!!..
http://infectedrom.com/showthread.php/559-Vunerability-1-Android-Security-Elevation
and heres an app to check if you are vulnerable...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17612559&postcount=110
Does this help anyone?! LOL....Im sure NOBODY like BIG BROTHER WATCHING YOU!
lightninbug said:
Does this help anyone?! LOL....Im sure NOBODY like BIG BROTHER WATCHING YOU!
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Click to collapse
Well you kind of threw that out the door when you decided to buy an ANDROID device.. didn't ya ? LOL
so if you run something like cyanogen or miui am i right in thinking you would prob not be vulnerable, but custom sense based roms prob would be?
meegs said:
so if you run something like cyanogen or miui am i right in thinking you would prob not be vulnerable, but custom sense based roms prob would be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats basically what Im thinking.. But who knows...For all we know the STOCK sms app is sending HTC all our texts...think of how many drug dealers/ or other illegal things people do that is uploaded to htc....I For-see a NEW AGE IN CRIME STOPPING upon us...and the general public doesnt even know it.
About the big brother watching you.
Why do you think Android is free? Companies like HTC and Google want you to spend as much time as possible on the internet so you can see the ads that pay their bills. That's the whole idea behind Android, cheap access to the internet so you can use Google products and see their ads. HTC is probably doing something similar here. HTC has access to lots of user data via the phones that they sell. This is valuable data to data miners who can sell their products using this information.
Personally I don't have a problem with this. But if you do it makes sense to stop using the internet
Call me crazy but I quite frankly don't care much about them knowing what apps I run or where my wifi network is located or where my phone has been. I voluntarily share that kind of information with Google in return for making my life easier by allowing my to use services like Google Maps and Google Search. Now if I were a terrorist or someone running from law enforcement I could see how this would bother me a lot more.
Moreover, if this information actually helps HTC improve the user experience on my next device (similar to how it has helped Google improve their services), I'll personally send it to them in a .zip file. It is troubling though that they kind of just take these kinds of stats regardless of your consent.
Anyway, let me know when they start listening in on my phone calls and reading my text messages. Maybe then I'll care more. -_-
EDIT: I still really do appreciate TrevE taking time out of his day to do this research and share his findings with the community.
Guys I think there trying to say that HTC or google is not gathering our info securely,and anyone with the knowledge can intercept our info from google or HTC. Say the president uses a HTC sensation,and a terrorist intercepts the presidents info that is suppose to go to google or HTC. Now that terrorist knows where the president is,etc. See how that's a problem? I sure don't want no crazed lunatic knowing were I'm at,worst,cloning my phone!
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using xda premium
brd912 said:
Guys I think there trying to say that HTC or google is not gathering our info securely,and anyone with the knowledge can intercept our info from google or HTC. Say the president uses a HTC sensation,and a terrorist intercepts the presidents info that is suppose to go to google or HTC. Now that terrorist knows where the president is,etc. See how that's a problem? I sure don't want no crazed lunatic knowing were I'm at,worst,cloning my phone!
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using xda premium
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Click to collapse
just in case we wondered why the president still uses a crackberry
Another reason to use Cyanogenmod. Yipee!
Sent from my Sensation using Cyanogenmod
I'm running a stock T-Mobile version of sense, rooted and when I installed the app, it says connecton refused, I looked for the app htclog.apk in /system/app and it's not there...
Related
Well well well we just found out all your data is going to an Amazon server if you updated to the new 2.3.4 EVO and Sensation users. How long you use an app, What app you are using, The fact that you are rooted, the location you are using it from etc etc (without QIC) is being uploaded to an Amazon server un-encrypted. How's that for security? However thanks to Synergy team developer TrevE users of Synergy and the upcoming Eternity ROM from Virus will be secure against this obvious infringement of your privacy. What is HTC up to? And furthermore what other manufacturers are using similar methods? One thing Trev pointed out was your warranty can be voided immediately. They know you are rooted! The repercussions of this are astounding and frankly I am proud to be breaking this story with all of the work I have done here recently speaking out when I find are data being wrongly horded and used in nefarious ways. Kudos to TrevE and Virus for showing me this and helping the community find a way to put a stop to it. This is an ongoing game people and it is the aftermarket guys like Team Synergy and even journalist like myself who are a pretty good line of defense when crap like this comes up. They have your IMEI they know your location from the cell towers in hex and they know you are rooted. The best way to defend yourself is by rooting and flashing these guys ROMS period and that's a win win. Top of the line performance and defense against heinous invasion of your privacy.
for technical details including the nefarious code you can go HERE. The user behavior logs and other info are right in the thread of our sister site InfectedROM.com
The Synergy team and Revolution for the win... oh and when your using Synergy ROM and Eternity ROM this is what HTC will see..... Beat By Team Synergy. Jokes on them. I'm certainly laughing.
Kidromulous
Editor in Chief
AndroREV
We Are AndroREV WE ARE!
Someone pointed this out to me so I thought I'd share it with you all.
Link to article
The reason it's going to Amazon is because HTC has servers with Amazon obviously... Damn this is a dumb, FUD-spreading, post.
persiansown said:
The reason it's going to Amazon is because HTC has servers with Amazon obviously... Damn this is a dumb, FUD-spreading, post.
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I dont think so...I am curious to know also....What are they doing with this data that they have NOT asked us to collect.
I think the op is going way overboard assuming these STATISTICS are being used " nefariously " sure, point it out, bit don't start throwing out accusations without evidence that harmful acts are being perpetrated and scaring the community into a state of paranoia.
I think the OP just copied and pasted the article, so no need to blame him.
And yea, the way the article is written just makes it seem like a rant and not very credible...
dear Op,
please tell us about the services activated under account and sync. then disabled them all and see, how like magic that traffic then is gone...
LOL. This is really written in such a sensational way that it's pretty funny that I really am fifty fifty believing this post. It's like the posts on the web that mention gain six pack ABS in six weeks no exercise. Ah well. Good thing I'm rooted and failed the update.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
OK, I'm calling BS, or at the very least calling it inaccurate. If you look up those IPs, they belong to amazonaws.com. If you look this up, you get Amazon Web Services. It's basically a bunch of cloud/database services they offer, for people and other companies to utilize. So while it may go to an Amazon server, it is most likely not actually going to Amazon. It is still just HTC, nothing different, just a different server. Also, WHO THE HELL CARES? It's not like it is constantly sending this data all the time. In fact, I'd be willing to bet this only gets sent when you actually submit one of those 'Tell HTC' forms that show up sometimes.
Well, one more spying us is not a problem
What an interesting post. Is there any kind of independent watchdog group who goes over all the code in these roms to see what is actually going on? I assume it's all open source, so they can't really hide what they're doing. How it works in the real world, however, I don't know.
"Exclusive: Someone Is Getting All Your Data And We Know How To Stop Them!"
Really?
This is an internet forum, not a tabloid newspaper/self-help magazine.
sound like to me that you just want people to download and use your rom. because if you knew a way to stop this why not post the fix ,no instead you want us to use your rom go suck and egg.bs
Now I get it...
Posts like these, thats what the 10 post minimum was all about. Too bad it missed this clown. If you've got a fix, post it. Shove your weak ROM and your weak tabloid marketing in your very loose arse. Jive... Is this where XDA is heading?
z3r0d3vil said:
Posts like these, thats what the 10 post minimum was all about. Too bad it missed this clown. If you've got a fix, post it. Shove your weak ROM and your weak tabloid marketing in your very loose arse. Jive... Is this where XDA is heading?
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Click to collapse
you my good sir... are exactly what we need around here hahaha hilarious
Can they even do that as in htc? Isnt it like trespassing other people privacy?
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
MxFadzil92 said:
Can they even do that as in htc? Isnt it like trespassing other people privacy?
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently they can, take a look in setting > about phone > legal information > HTC legal, its all there..
HTC Swyped from my Sensation using XDA Premium
*damo* said:
Apparently they can, take a look in setting > about phone > legal information > HTC legal, its all there..
HTC Swyped from my Sensation using XDA Premium
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Click to collapse
well that is one clever move made by htc. -.- wthell man. no privacy !!! anyway thanks for the info though... cant believe that they did this kind of thing to their customer.
persiansown said:
The reason it's going to Amazon is because HTC has servers with Amazon obviously... Damn this is a dumb, FUD-spreading, post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The article is not questioning Amazon but HTC. And its a fact so FUD spreading I think not
Setting the Record Straight.
For the record I would never post anything that I wrote here on XDA i'm not responsible for the post. To the people who were interested in the information imparted in said post. Glad it helped. To the folks who think it's FUD. Too bad. To the folks who think I write a tabloid... well thats for the people reading it to decide. To the folks who think the fix isn't in the piece. Get your reading glasses. Oh and to the folks who don't like the fact that I promoted the developers who created the fix and think Synergy is a crappy ROM take that up with the developer of said ROMs. Thanks a million and have a blessed day.
daman215 said:
sound like to me that you just want people to download and use your rom. because if you knew a way to stop this why not post the fix ,no instead you want us to use your rom go suck and egg.bs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
z3r0d3vil said:
Posts like these, thats what the 10 post minimum was all about. Too bad it missed this clown. If you've got a fix, post it. Shove your weak ROM and your weak tabloid marketing in your very loose arse. Jive... Is this where XDA is heading?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't necessarily believe it either but I wonder if you guys even clicked on the link because there's actually a bunch of source there, and explanations of what happens when you delete certain files that are harvesting info, and the source code that was used to "defeat" the info harvesting behaviors. I think this is interesting at the very least, if not true even if it was definitely presented in a sensational way.
I don't particularly care WHERE the data is going, I want to know WHY it's being collected in the first place, especially if it is not vital to the functioning of our mobile devices, which it seems pretty clear to all of us, it isn't. Even if YOU don't care about your info and data being harvested by google, some of us do and many of us find it very disconcerting.
Also, a guy with 14 posts trolling and asking where "XDA is heading" am I the only one that appreciates how ridiculous that is?
Ok guys i just saw this today and it really got me worried:
http://m.gizmodo.com/5863849/your-android-phone-is-secretly-recording-everything-you-do?autoplay
I'm sorry if i'm breaking a rule by posting this link, but if true, this is something to really worry about! Just read!
Update: here is a link for an app designed to detect and remove it from your android phones
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17612559&postcount=110
Hope it helps!
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
Whole post, just in case:
If you have any decently modern Android phone, everything you do is being recorded by hidden software lurking inside. It even circumvents web encryption and grabs everything—including your passwords and Google queries.
Worse: it's the handset manufacturers and the carriers who—in the name of "making your user experience better"—install this software without any way for you to opt-out. This video, recorded by 25-year-old Android developer Trevor Eckhart, shows how it works. This is bad. Really bad.
Update: Nokia wrote to us saying that Carrier IQ's spyware is not included in any of their cellphones.
Fast forward to 9:00 for the damning sequence.
The spying software is developed by a company called Carrier IQ. In their site, the company says they are "the only embedded analytics company to support millions of devices simultaneously, we give Wireless Carriers and Handset Manufacturers unprecedented insight into their customers' mobile experience."
Who has this problem? It seems like a good goal and, indeed, most manufacturers and carriers agree: according to Eckhart, the spyware is included in most Android phones out there.
Eckhart claims that Carrier IQ software is also included in Blackberry and Nokia smartphones too. It probably works exactly the same in those smartphones as well. However, there's no proof showing these problems in those phones. There's no mention about Apple's iPhone.
It also doesn't even matter if your telephone was purchased free of carrier contracts. As Eckhart shows in this video, it's always there.
The problem is that it does a lot more than log anonymous generic data. It grabs everything.
How does it work? Carrier IQ's software is installed in your phone at the deepest level. You don't know it's there. You are never warned this is happening. You can't opt-in and you certainly can't opt-out.
The commercial spyware sits between the user and the applications in the phone so, no matter how secure and private your apps are, the spyware intercepts anything you do. From your location to your web browsing addresses and passwords to the content of your text messages.
This even happens using a private Wi-Fi connection instead of the carrier 3G or 4G connection.
The company denied all this in a public statement (PDF):
While we look at many aspects of a device's performance, we are counting and summarizing performance, not recording keystrokes or providing tracking tools
But the video clearly demonstrates that this is not true: Keystrokes submit unique key codes to Carrier IQ. Even secure connections are intercepted by the spyware, allowing it to record your moves in the open. These connections to the web are encrypted but, since Carrier IQ's spyware sits between the browser and the user, it grabs it and sends it in plain text.
The spyware can even log your location, even if the user declines to allow an app to know where it is. The hidden Carrier IQ app ignores your desires, intercepts the data and gets your location anyway.
What can you do to avoid it? Unfortunately, not much. The hidden spyware is always running, and there's no option in any of the menus to deactivate it. Unless you're a grade-A blackbelt hacker, you're out of luck. Even Eckhart, who is a developer, finds it difficult to remove:
Why is this not opt-in and why is it so hard to fully remove?
It's an excellent question. One that urgently needs an answer, from Carrier IQ but especially from every handset manufacturer and carrier involved in this situation.
The solution to this problem is not installing a custom ROM. That's something that shouldn't be required from consumers, something that normal people will not be willing to do. Products must respect privacy rights out of the box. Consumers must be informed about this the moment they turn on their phones in a clear way. They should have the possibility to opt-in and opt-out whenever they want, with a single click. This matter should be solved now by Carrier IQ, the handset manufacturer and the carriers.
If it isn't solved as soon as possible, authorities in the US and Europe should nail them with everything they have. [Twitter, Android Security Test, EFF and Carrier IQ via Threat Level]
Update from Nokia's PR firm Next15, Gretchen Bender: I know you've followed today's news that software from CarrierIQ has been found on Nokia devices. I wanted to quickly reach out following your story to let you know that in fact, CarrierIQ does not ship products for any Nokia devices. Therefore, these reports are inaccurate.
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
I was waiting to see this thread open here. This is a bomb to the platform's reputation.
Does rooting and installing any 3rd party ROM eliminate this?
Also, does this only apply to US carriers and devices?
AOSP mods (including cyanogenmod) don't have carrier IQ since Google didn't do it in the first place. Nor do the Nexus phones..
Nor do a handful of OTHER phones. I'm curious to see just how far that goes. It kinda explains why manufacturers/cell providers are SO insistent on locking firmware though.
Updated OP with link to removal app
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
Barzobius said:
Ok guys i just saw this today and it really got me worried:
http://m.gizmodo.com/5863849/your-android-phone-is-secretly-recording-everything-you-do?autoplay
I'm sorry if i'm breaking a rule by posting this link, but if true, this is something to really worry about! Just read!
Update: here is a link for an app designed to detect and remove it from your android phones
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17612559&postcount=110
Hope it helps!
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for posting the link! l was watching the XDA:TV and Bob was on about this, while playing the video l was searching all over the market place, couldn't find it. Now l did.
Barzobius said:
Ok guys i just saw this today and it really got me worried:
http://m.gizmodo.com/5863849/your-android-phone-is-secretly-recording-everything-you-do?autoplay
I'm sorry if i'm breaking a rule by posting this link, but if true, this is something to really worry about! Just read!
Update: here is a link for an app designed to detect and remove it from your android phones
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=17612559&postcount=110
Hope it helps!
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I happened upon it as well here:
http://news.yahoo.com/smartphone-spying-204933867.html
So, a rooted device doesn't have it? That's good news. I'm now thinking of flashing my G2 to get rid of this (if it has it).
Does anyone here know how to find it on the device?
Joe
We have a thread with same topic in General section
In ["TrevE!"] we trust!! OPT out!*CIQ's!* YAHOO, MSN, MSNBC, FORBES Magzn!!! "TrevE!!
Just seen this on **YAHOO** front page, Thank's TrevE!
Forbes Magazine on "TrevE"
MSN MSNBC!
"Eckhart says Carrier IQ's software, designed to monitor the performance of a cell phone on a network, is a "rootkit," spying on unsuspecting users. Carrier IQ says it is not."
"While we look at many aspects of a device’s performance, we are counting and summarizing performance, not recording keystrokes or providing tracking tools," the company said in a recent statement. We've contacted Carrier IQ for more information.
I even made a video to let my subscribers know what he had done for the Android and XDA community, great find thanks to him.
heplful video helped me remove that crap from my htc. Treve rules
BaT420 said:
heplful video helped me remove that crap from my htc. Treve rules
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Click to collapse
They(CIQ) wanted a media storm, surfed the web and there it was.
Hmm, seems they didn't get it, a rootkit is something that hides from the user by running in a low level beyound the operating system, this does not imply any malicious intentions yet, so it definitely is. Thing is, they already stated that it does in fact log all phone connections and SMS (not the actual content they say), what apps are running on the phone and how much they utilize the cpu and even more, which i consider malitious personally, and send the informations to your carrier who should have those informations anyway except the app stuff. They say they collect this information to see if a disconnect happens due to a faulty cell tower to improve their network, but they should be able to get all this information's from their cell towers as well. Also they claim that they collect that app info to know what is causing battery drain on your device, but i think this should be handled in a different, more privacy respecting way.
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tapatalked from vizio vtab1008
Jeeze I'm glad I run a custom rom and a custom kernel the day I got my phone. Gives my the shivers knowing that my carrier has that info. This would totally suck for federal agencies that use these CIQ infected devices.
Why is anyone the slightest little bit surprised?
This is an OS created by Google, a company that exists to collect data on you. By definition the more it invades your privacy, the better it is accomplishing its job description.
Chrome is growing in installations every day. This is a browser that exists to collect your data. Everything you type or click on while in that browser gets processed through Google's servers.
What do you think is going to happen when google comes out with a "free", stable, OS for pc's? How much of your activity do you think they'll be monitoring?
Google and Facebook are waging a war right now to see who becomes "big brother" through controlling your access to the internet. Wake up and smell the "long game" running.
Yes, I know CIQ is not a Google product.
Someone just turned derp up to 11
mid_life_crisis said:
Why is anyone the slightest little bit surprised?
This is an OS created by Google, a company that exists to collect data on you. By definition the more it invades your privacy, the better it is accomplishing its job description.
Chrome is growing in installations every day. This is a browser that exists to collect your data. Everything you type or click on while in that browser gets processed through Google's servers.
What do you think is going to happen when google comes out with a "free", stable, OS for pc's? How much of your activity do you think they'll be monitoring?
Google and Facebook are waging a war right now to see who becomes "big brother" through controlling your access to the internet. Wake up and smell the "long game" running.
Yes, I know CIQ is not a Google product.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the carriers that put this software on not Google. My nexus s has no sign of it. I'm custom rom since day one but have a nandroid of my stock image and nothing there.
Also your last statement is a bit tin foil hat isn't it?
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
slimdizzy said:
Its the carriers that put this software on not Google. My nexus s has no sign of it. I'm custom rom since day one but have a nandroid of my stock image and nothing there.
Also your last statement is a bit tin foil hat isn't it?
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not on the stock or custom roms for the Inspire either.
As for the foil hat. You think the new chip being installed on all US phones after tyebnew year so the government can force texts to your phone is only so they can send you a text? Yeah....I am not so sure about that lol
Do you think anyone can develope a program to prevent google from capturing this information about their users? Maybe at least on a android based platform even. This really chaps my a$$
Code:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/google-tracks-consumers-across-products-users-cant-opt-out/2012/01/24/gIQArgJHOQ_story.html?wpisrc=al_comboNE_b
Whats the big deal? Google cuts down on paperwork and the policies haven't changed, they are just merged/ It eliminated redundancies and wasted effort.
what difference does it make if you are giving your personal information to Gmail or to youtube? If google has it, Google has it, period. It is still a Google based service, combining the private policies of all of the services into one makes perfect sense.
Google has stated they still have no plans to change how they handle the data.
The big deal is I NEVER CLICK YES for gooble to collect anything on me, which means I "opt-out" now I have a contract on a phone I dont want to touch. great, a 700$ paperweight , not including the service. screw you google.
I will not tap "yes" for google
Are you sure that they are 700 $?
Rage! An ad/marketing company makes my OS and wants to show me ads relevant to me rather than random ads. A company wants to make money off of a product they've created and are heavily vested in? Who'd have thunk it?
Don't like it? There's other choices out there. WP7 is pretty hot ;-)
z33dev33l said:
Rage! An ad/marketing company makes my OS and wants to show me ads relevant to me rather than random ads. A company wants to make money off of a product they've created and are heavily vested in? Who'd have thunk it?
Don't like it? There's other choices out there. WP7 is pretty hot ;-)
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Click to collapse
Wait til wp7 phones get ads lol
Have to say though to op its not like google are pushing ads to your device. If you browse net you get same problem. I think they have messed up somewhere cos on my laptop I always get ads for things I already have. But I don't get ads on my phone unless on a webpage or using an ad funded app so no different to a pc or any internet device.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
mistermentality said:
Wait til wp7 phones get ads lol
Have to say though to op its not like google are pushing ads to your device. If you browse net you get same problem. I think they have messed up somewhere cos on my laptop I always get ads for things I already have. But I don't get ads on my phone unless on a webpage or using an ad funded app so no different to a pc or any internet device.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Microsoft is a software company, Google is a marketing company.
z33dev33l said:
Microsoft is a software company, Google is a marketing company.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hence the lol
But the point is google aren't sending ads any different than on a pc. Whatever phone pc or tablet people use makes no difference, google and others can and do still collect data when you browse.
And some collect other data even when you opt out such as wp7 collecting user data that caused them to get sued last year. Its impossible to have a smartphone and not have someone collect data of some sort.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
mistermentality said:
Hence the lol
But the point is google aren't sending ads any different than on a pc. Whatever phone pc or tablet people use makes no difference, google and others can and do still collect data when you browse.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I am not fond of google. I use Bing and have visited YouTube maybe 3 times this year. That said, Bing does the same thing to me.
Well **** that.. i am going back to Symbian s60v3... At least i wont have the damn adds
~§~
Xxul said:
Well **** that.. i am going back to Symbian s60v3... At least i wont have the damn adds
~§~
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Lmao.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
z33dev33l said:
I use Bing...Bing does the same thing to me.
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Click to collapse
Bing probably does other things that would scare the hell out of you if you were aware of them. Google is nosy. M$ is evil.
Sent from HTC G2
Crashdamage said:
Bing probably does other things that would scare the hell out of you if you were aware of them. Google is nosy. M$ is evil.
Sent from HTC G2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Color me intrigued, what makes Microsoft more evil than google?
What would be the best way to avoid this?
a problem I could see is if like, I have my son over on a weekend and he jumps on...idk, nickelodeon. com or something, will it show ads for all the porn sites I visit?
I sure as hell wouldn't want him reporting that to his mother and even possibly the appropriate authorities...
just curious but in what way is this different, if not dramatically worse, than everything CarrierIQ was accused of a few months back.
I wonder if this will affect things like StartPage which bills itself as being completely private but is "enhanced by Google"
This is why I have dead email addresses. I've got one for Gmail just for my phone. Never use it for anything else. Just the phone.
Don't Be Evil, just make lots and lots of money.
The real problem is the internet. There are always the spammers that get a kick out of just breaking someone else's things, and that's why almost all websites log things. It also creates privacy concerns for those trying to follow the rules. So if it bothers you so much that Google knows you search for a laptop, and it suggests that there is a better, cheaper one, next time you use gmail, then you have problems. I personally love this, now when I go between Google services, I don't have to log in again. Google provides you with great services for free, why not give them the ability to advertise to you? The world is dangerous, get over it.
Or you could do the most practical thing, ad block. Its on Firefox and chrome, so that should cover almost everybody. If your stuck with ie, well, god help you.
Sent from my Bad-Ass Acer Iconia Tab a100
dead78 said:
just curious but in what way is this different, if not dramatically worse, than everything CarrierIQ was accused of a few months back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier IQ records keystrokes, text messages and other private stuff Google does not. And without even telling anyone it was there.
Sent from HTC G2
nazsa said:
The big deal is I NEVER CLICK YES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You agreed to their terms of service. As has been pointed out, the information is used so they can show ads that pertain to you specifically. I view this as a good thing.
If you don't want a company to know your browsing and purchasing habits, you should buy a cabin in the woods and live off the grid, no electronics, no grocery stores, completely self sufficient.
Good luck!
I made this thread so people can discuss the addition to HCTLinkify and how it affects you and why it came into existance.
Background:
Apple has a patent on the way Sense (possibly Android 4.0) handles links on screen and how the user interacts with the touch input. Instead of trying to expalin the whole patent dispute I will let you read more HERE
The patent in question is HERE
This is also the reason the delayed Shipping of the HTC One X and the Evo 4G LTE.
Current situation:
HTC has circumvented the patent dispute with the use of HTCLiunkify which simply changes the way it handles the onscreen links. This has caused concern for some users because they feel functionality has been degraded. This is debateble.
My delimna:
Some, handfull of users, are asking me to remove this work around from my ROM and violate apples patended "link" technoilogy. I state that if HTC and Google, Sprint and ATT can be sued so cant I. Maybe this is an unreliatic fear but none the less quite possible.
My Answer: Im not removing at this time but may consider it in the future. ITs functioning the way HTC / ATT intended.
DISCUSS!
Talk about why Apple sucks or you feel this was a good ruling by the courts. Give me a valid reason to take this out of the ROM and risk Apple's wrath (Albiet prolly unrealistic).
More importantly tell me if it even affects you?
Edit...hope this stop discussion in ur thread....see its open again...
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
mykeldrip said:
Edit...hope this stop discussion in ur thread....see its open again...
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I didint want my thread to get embattled with the apple hatred / why wont you change this debate.
I personally can't stand the half-ass change HTC implemented. When I was running your ROM, I spent a few hours trying to remove it.
The way it's supposed to work is when you click a link to YouTube, Google Play, Google+, etc., it's supposed to prompt you to use the app. If they can no longer prompt because of the lawsuit, they should just redirect the link to the app instead of the browser. Why would anyone want otherwise??
Here's a good example of how stupid it is. When I watch YouTube videos, it's usually from people emailing me a link, sharing it on Google+ or being embedded/linked in a web page. I seldom ever launch the YouTube app to view a video. With their implementation, the YouTube app is virtually useless.
Now, why does your ROM have to have it, but mine doesn't? Mine's obviously based on the Rogers RUU which never implemented the workaround because they didn't have to. But if you successfully removed all AT&T references, we would be left with virtually identical ROMs with different bases. Since your ROM isn't specifically made for US residents, why would that not be ok?
Anyways, discuss
Is there a way to create a flashable mod to remove it so that the user takes responsibility and not the rom developer?
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Turge said:
I personally can't stand the half-ass change HTC implemented. When I was running your ROM, I spent a few hours trying to remove it.
The way it's supposed to work is when you click a link to YouTube, Google Play, Google+, etc., it's supposed to prompt you to use the app. If they can no longer prompt because of the lawsuit, they should just redirect the link to the app instead of the browser. Why would anyone want otherwise??
Here's a good example of how stupid it is. When I watch YouTube videos, it's usually from people emailing me a link, sharing it on Google+ or being embedded/linked in a web page. I seldom ever launch the YouTube app to view a video. With their implementation, the YouTube app is virtually useless.
Now, why does your ROM have to have it, but mine doesn't? Mine's obviously based on the Rogers RUU which never implemented the workaround because they didn't have to. But if you successfully removed all AT&T references, we would be left with virtually identical ROMs with different bases. Since your ROM isn't specifically made for US residents, why would that not be ok?
Anyways, discuss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like your way of thinking
I hate the idea of keeping the htclinkify so keep up this way sounds good
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Turge said:
I personally can't stand the half-ass change HTC implemented. When I was running your ROM, I spent a few hours trying to remove it.
The way it's supposed to work is when you click a link to YouTube, Google Play, Google+, etc., it's supposed to prompt you to use the app. If they can no longer prompt because of the lawsuit, they should just redirect the link to the app instead of the browser. Why would anyone want otherwise??
Here's a good example of how stupid it is. When I watch YouTube videos, it's usually from people emailing me a link, sharing it on Google+ or being embedded/linked in a web page. I seldom ever launch the YouTube app to view a video. With their implementation, the YouTube app is virtually useless.
Now, why does your ROM have to have it, but mine doesn't? Mine's obviously based on the Rogers RUU which never implemented the workaround because they didn't have to. But if you successfully removed all AT&T references, we would be left with virtually identical ROMs with different bases. Since your ROM isn't specifically made for US residents, why would that not be ok?
Anyways, discuss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good pioint... BUT...
My ROM is (phisicyally) hosted in the US and would therefore need to comply with all US Copright and Patenet laws.
And no... Im not going to buy a server outside of the country to circumvent this, lol
mrjaydee82 said:
I like your way of thinking
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Click to collapse
LOL.. anyone who knows me knows that I like to challenge things. When I'm told to do something, I do the opposite. (Well, within reason )
Aren't you technically breaking copyright by modifying HTC's software anyway?
Unless somewhere they state that their Sense stuff is free to modify. They provide the source so that people can work use that for open-source AOSP. Sense, I believe (I could be wrong) is NOT open source.
KitF said:
Aren't you technically breaking copyright by modifying HTC's software anyway?
Unless somewhere they state that their Sense stuff is free to modify. They provide the source so that people can work use that for open-source AOSP. Sense, I believe (I could be wrong) is NOT open source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not open source but HTC has differnt policies than Apple.
Ive never seen HTC Threaten to sue someoen.. Well once.. but that was because unreleased code was being released (IE LEaked ROMS for devices that were not even on the market yet). But other than that they given the "unofficial" greent light to making modifications to there product and distibute
We are called the "enthusiast community" and help sell there product. This is why HTC has created HTCDev.com. Specifically to unlock the pohones for the purpose of custom built ROMS / Mods, etc, no?
I am also part of HTC Elevate (elevate.htc.com <- Private boys club for HTC developers and vendors and HTC Staff to dicsuss HTC Products, give input, request changes to products) and will try to seek clarification. But HTC and Apple are two differnt animals all together.
If Apple opened up the bootloaders on iCrap devices I would agree with your point but honestly... Two differnt animals we are talking about.
Once the above issue occrued (releaseing unreleased code) HTC Made a statement at that time that it was ok to re-release the code as long as it was normally publicly available... IE Not Leaked code and definetlay not leaked for device that were not even on the market yet.
Search Google / XDA for this word "conflipper" You will understand then...
Also, I want to point out...
This is about Apple, not HTC. If HTC opens a lawsuit with me for making Custom ROMS then I am pretty sure all of XDA woudl be shut down, etc etc etc...
So lets not derail the Apple issue with HTC...
Its an Apple to Oranges comparison (Get it, Apple, gett it?)
scrosler said:
Its not open source but HTC has differnt policies than Apple.
Ive never seen HTC Threaten to sue someoen.. Well once.. but that was because unreleased code was being modified and released. But other htan that they give the "unofficial" greent light to making modifications to there product.
We are called the "enthusiast community" and help sell ther eproduct. This is why HTC has created HTCDev.com. Specifically to unlock the pohones for the purpose of custom built ROMS, no?
I am also part of HTC Elevate (elevate.htc.com <- Private boys club for HTC developers and vendors and cool users!) and will try to seek clarification. But HTC and apple are two differnt animals all together.
If Apple opened up the bootloaders on iCrap devices I would agree with your point but honestly... Tow differnt animals we are talking about.
Once the above issue occrued (releaseing unreleased code) HTC Made a statement at that time that it was ok to re-release the code as long as it was normally publicly available...
Search Google / XDA for this word "conflipper" You will understand then...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a little different, but I remember HTC asking the developers of Launcher Pro to remove their "HTC-like" flip clock from their launcher. I don't think they're bothered with all of the other flip clock developers since though since it might just have been a momentary lapse of judgement, or a rogue power-tripping HTC employee. Just wanted to point out that there is a little bit of history between HTC and developers.
Turge said:
It's a little different, but I remember HTC asking the developers of Launcher Pro to remove their "HTC-like" flip clock from their launcher. I don't think they're bothered with all of the other flip clock developers since though since it might just have been a momentary lapse of judgement, or a rogue power-tripping HTC employee. Just wanted to point out that there is a little bit of history between HTC and developers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a dieffernt case though... But once again... This is not about HTC suing anyone, its about Apple.
Lets keep the discussion on Apple being the douceh bags, not HTC.
Me and a friend were thinking. Say for example when you go buy your phone. You pay an extra 20 bucks for the apple tech. Just a thought. And yes I understand that it still is an imperfect plan but everybody wins. We as consumers get what we want and apple gets there money for there code.
Edit
Hey I don't like to support apple either. But this whole mess hurts everybody including apple. Apple looks like a big jackass for suing over something so stupid and all the rest of the cellphone makers have to scramble to fix this while all of their product sits in the ports.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Never ever support Crapple products.
Turge said:
I personally can't stand the half-ass change HTC implemented. When I was running your ROM, I spent a few hours trying to remove it.
The way it's supposed to work is when you click a link to YouTube, Google Play, Google+, etc., it's supposed to prompt you to use the app. If they can no longer prompt because of the lawsuit, they should just redirect the link to the app instead of the browser. Why would anyone want otherwise??
Here's a good example of how stupid it is. When I watch YouTube videos, it's usually from people emailing me a link, sharing it on Google+ or being embedded/linked in a web page. I seldom ever launch the YouTube app to view a video. With their implementation, the YouTube app is virtually useless.
Now, why does your ROM have to have it, but mine doesn't? Mine's obviously based on the Rogers RUU which never implemented the workaround because they didn't have to. But if you successfully removed all AT&T references, we would be left with virtually identical ROMs with different bases. Since your ROM isn't specifically made for US residents, why would that not be ok?
Anyways, discuss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely agree. I would prefer the links just opening directly w/in the apps, even if I dont get the luxury of a prompt. the apps are far better - and intended - for viewing the content that many of these links are referring to. I dont want XDA, YouTube, Facebook, Groupon, etc. all opening up my browser and viewing what is often a 'desktop' site as directed by the link. If I want that, I can just copy/paste the link into my browser, but I'd nearly always prefer that a link automatically went directly into the associated app. i'd support pretty much any method available for getting a damn link to open in an app that I already have on my phone and, therefore, presumably would rather use over the web version of the site. I mean, why else would the user have apps? To me, this is a prime example of where patent laws have just gone too far.
Spankly said:
Me and a friend were thinking. Say for example when you go buy your phone. You pay an extra 20 bucks for the apple tech. Just a thought. And yes I understand that it still is an imperfect plan but everybody wins. We as consumers get what we want and apple gets there money for there code.
Edit
Hey I don't like to support apple either. But this whole mess hurts everybody including apple. Apple looks like a big jackass for suing over something so stupid and all the rest of the cellphone makers have to scramble to fix this while all of their product sits in the ports.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually this is a feasible busniess model! Did you know that Google has to pay Microsoft every time an Android phone is activcated due to patentes used by Google in the Android OS.
Microsoft was smart about it. Apple is just plain ****ing greedy. How many 12 year old Asian boys does it take to make an iPod.... Ask Apple they can tell you.
Google it... Goole everything I say. Its all true.
fitchpuckman said:
Completely agree. I would prefer the links just opening directly w/in the apps, even if I dont get the luxury of a prompt. the apps are far better - and intended - for viewing the content that many of these links are referring to. I dont want XDA, YouTube, Facebook, Groupon, etc. all opening up my browser and viewing what is often a 'desktop' site as directed by the link. If I want that, I can just copy/paste the link into my browser, but I'd nearly always prefer that a link automatically went directly into the associated app. i'd support pretty much any method available for getting a damn link to open in an app that I already have on my phone and, therefore, presumably would rather use over the web version of the site. I mean, why else would the user have apps? To me, this is a prime example of where patent laws have just gone too far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest with you man. Can someone explain to me what it even does differntly? When I click phone number in a text message it goes right to the phone.
What doesnt even work? Or work as expected?
scrosler said:
Also, I want to point out...
This is about Apple, not HTC. If HTC opens a lawsuit with me for making Custom ROMS then I am pretty sure all of XDA woudl be shut down, etc etc etc...
So lets not derail the Apple issue with HTC...
Its an Apple to Oranges comparison (Get it, Apple, gett it?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the point was originally raised to ask "Where do we draw the line?".
I'm sure Cyanogenmod will never have to worry about Apple, so why should we/you?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium