Android Apps and Privacy

[SCPD]

I bought a new Android phone last weekend and this weekend decided to explore the applications available in the Android Marketplace. One of the apps I really want is IHeartRadio. However, when I select that app I get a message that reads:

This application has access to the following:

Your location
coarse (network-based) location, fine (GPS) location

Phone calls
read phone state and identity

Can anyone tell me why Clear Channel Inc., the provider of IHeart Radio, needs to know who I make calls to or receive calls from? The GPS thing I sort of get, since they can tell advertisers where listeners are located.

I noticed that even the New York Times captures phone call information. Am I being a little too paranoid about the phone thing?

Dave
KA6TJF

 

[n5ims]

It may be that the API (application programming interface) they use provides access to that information, but they never use it and with the new privacy laws popping up they felt it should be mentioned. Their license for that API may also force them to provide that disclaimer to help protect the provider of that API.

It may also be that they get your location information to provide you with some "default selections" based on your location (e.g. your local stations are at the top of the list and easy to find instead of forcing you to page down several times to find your area if you don't happen to live in one that starts with the letter A). They may use your phone's identity for your access information into their application (so your selections, favorites, etc. are there without forcing you to sign in each time). They may use your "phone state" to provide features like mute the app's sound when you get or make a call, etc.

 

[SCPD]

It may be that the API (application programming interface) they use provides access to that information, but they never use it and with the new privacy laws popping up they felt it should be mentioned. Their license for that API may also force them to provide that disclaimer to help protect the provider of that API.

It may also be that they get your location information to provide you with some "default selections" based on your location (e.g. your local stations are at the top of the list and easy to find instead of forcing you to page down several times to find your area if you don't happen to live in one that starts with the letter A). They may use your phone's identity for your access information into their application (so your selections, favorites, etc. are there without forcing you to sign in each time). They may use your "phone state" to provide features like mute the app's sound when you get or make a call, etc.

Thanks, what you say makes sense.

Dave
KA6TJF

 

[mancow]

It could be that the application needs to know when you are using the phone so it can manage data properly since many networks can't simultaneously support phone calls and data traffic on the same device at the same time.

 

[SCPD]

It could be that the application needs to know when you are using the phone so it can manage data properly since many networks can't simultaneously support phone calls and data traffic on the same device at the same time.

Makes sense, also. Funny thing, but this morning I e-mailed my question to Matt "Money" Smith, who co-hosts a sportstalk program with Petros Padapakis out here in L.A. Everyday they talk about IHeartRadio. Anyway, Smith wrote me back this afternoon saying he didn't know the answer to my question, but he'd run it by his superiors. We'll see what they say.

On a related topic, the mobile Radio Reference app works great on my Android phone. I listened to the Orange County (CA) TRS live stream while watching the Chargers game this afternoon, and it was better than using my scanner. Since it got up to around 104 degrees today, I wanted to be ready in case any brush fires broke out. Fortunately, the humidity has stayed around 30 percent and the Santa Ana winds haven't blown, so the pyromaniacs have laid low today.

Dave
KA6TJF

 

[SCPD]

Update. Well, I never heard back from the Clear Channel people about my concerns. But, based on "youse" all comments, I decided to go ahead and download I Heart Radio. You know what? It's OK, but it's really limited.

Here in L.A., with something like 60 plus stations available on both AM/FM, the 10 or so stations offered by I Heart Radio seemed rather limited. Yes, I know I Heart Radio streams only Clear Channel stations. But guess what? I found another app in the Android Marketplace called TuneIn Radio, which streams just about all the other L.A. stations, including alternate HD streams. It's absolutely fabulous. Plus, you can stream stations in just about any city in the world. For instance, I decided I wanted to hear the reaction in Philly after Roy Halladay's no-no last night. I was able to bring up WIP Sportstalk 610 in Philly. Incredible! Now I know why the kids always have their noses pressed to their smart phones.

Dave
KA6TJF