Ankita
Member • Dec 15, 2013
Google Takes Down Security Feature In Android 4.4.2 - How is this important?
Google, the company behind the Android operating system, has removed one of its security feature from the Android version 4.4.2 saying that it was added accidentally and was an experimental feature. In fact, a spokesperson from Google said that the feature became a part of the OS when the Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) was released this summer. Removing this privacy feature means that the users of the smartphones using Android 4.4.2 must provide access to their personal data in order to use certain apps. The repercussions of this removal may be that users who would have wanted to keep the privacy feature may now opt not to update their software. Moreover, their gadgets can be susceptible to security vulnerabilities.
The privacy feature allowed users to pick and choose which personal data a third-party app can collect. Users had to install a special Apps Ops Launcher software, which was created by another company, in order to access the hidden privacy controls.Clearly, the Internet did not respond well to Google's decision to take down feature. Peter Eckersley, Technology Projects Director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, wrote in a blog post posted Friday: "We are suspicious of this explanation, and do not think that it in any way justifies removing the feature rather than improving it."
The privacy feature allowed users to pick and choose which personal data a third-party app can collect. Users had to install a special Apps Ops Launcher software, which was created by another company, in order to access the hidden privacy controls.Clearly, the Internet did not respond well to Google's decision to take down feature. Peter Eckersley, Technology Projects Director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, wrote in a blog post posted Friday: "We are suspicious of this explanation, and do not think that it in any way justifies removing the feature rather than improving it."
Add to it the fact that, many third party apps on Android will require access to user's private information but apps such as Shazam and some popular smartphone flashlight apps, which ask for access, obviously do not have something to do with the personal information for them to work properly. The private date that can be accessed includes Address Book contacts, IMEI, user account information and the user's location among others.
The move to remove the Android's priceless privacy feature is surely something that users are going to condemn. What do you think about Google's move? Share with us in comments.
The move to remove the Android's priceless privacy feature is surely something that users are going to condemn. What do you think about Google's move? Share with us in comments.