The biggest wireless carrier in America is getting ready to launch a new search app called AppFlash across its Android powered mobile devices, and the purpose of this app is to provide assistance to users in finding content across various apps. This search app has take some flak from critics who claim the app is actually a form of spyware that lets Verizon Wireless gain access to sorts of private data.
According to a report recently published by TechCrunch, AppFlash is a product of startup apps developer Evie. It actually a brand of Sidescreen, and is named so specifically for Verizon Wireless. The Big Red is looking to preload the software on Android running handsets owned by subscribers of the major US mobile operator. Specifically, the app allows mobile users to search or browse through displayed listings, and when people tap on a listing, the app displayed will launch, with the user immediately directed to the specific content or service he is looking for.
Who exactly are the critics slamming AppFlash? Well, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) was one of the most vocal, issuing a statement that this “spyware” will basically let Verizon Wireless sell ads to users across the web based on information like which banking institution they are going to, or whether they have downloaded or installed a certain app for fertility. As pointed out by the EFF, the roll out of the AppFlash feature is tantamount to breaching the security and invading the privacy of Verizon subscribers by installing spyware on their handsets.
The EFF also mentioned the wireless carrier’s AppFlash Privacy Policy, which said that the app has the ability to gather data, like phone numbers, device identifiers, device category, mobile operating system, and the features, apps, and other services installed on the user’s device. Moreover, AppFlash is also capable of collecting location information and even contacts, and this data can be shared with other Verizon owned brands, such as AOL and Millennial Media. It bears noting that the EFF later qualified its earlier comments, saying that it will be reconsidering things after some further investigation.
The EFF is not the only one criticizing the AppFlash service. As a matter of fact, the Verge has claimed that the app is essentially bloatware that could steal potentially sensitive information (financial and health related data), and hand them to advertisers. The Next Web, on the other hand, agreed with the EFF that AppFlash was spyware.
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https://www.wirefly.com/blog/news/verizon-s-new-search-app-draws-some-flak