Apps Fail to Explain and Meet Basic Privacy Concerns

[engine]

I'm inclined to agree with this. I have stopped installing apps that seem to have broad-brush access, especially when it is not explained why certain access is required. The highest profile app I can think of is Facebook's Messenger. It's not alone by any means.

The vast majority of popular apps are guilty of basic failings over user privacy, a report has warned.

The Global Privacy Enforcement Network (Gpen) looked at 1,211 apps and found 85% were not clearly explaining what data was being collected, and for what reason.

Almost one in three apps were requesting an excessive amount of personal information, the report said.

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has backed the findings.Apps Fail to Explain and Meet Basic Privacy Concerns [bbc.co.uk]

"Today's results show that many app developers are still failing to provide this information in a way that is clear and understandable to the average consumer," said the ICO's group manager for technology, Simon Rice.

[bill]

Hopefully something like MIT's OpenPDS [fastcoexist.com] will take care of issues like this. I agree that many Apps just siphon too much unnecessary info off the average user.