hundreds of apps have us govt trackers hidden in them

[Pickman's model]

wall street journal story, re-reported here Report: Hundreds of apps have hidden tracking software used by the government

the mind boggles about what this data's being used for

 

[weltweit]

I don't know if it is true but it strikes me it probably is.

Governments have rarely permitted their populations a means of communication which they were not able to eavesdrop on.

And for those that might say but What'sApp is encryped, the contents may be but I bet they are keeping track of who is messaging whom!

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised that the spooks get up to this sort of stuff. Of course they'll abuse the opportunities to track and monitor people.

Burner phones are the answer.

 

[Dogsauce]

Anonymised and aggregated data isn’t really a problem is it? This stuff generally gets used in stuff like transport modelling, where it can be very useful.

 

[StoneRoad]

Only if the burner phone is app-free !

 

[Sprocket.]

Not shocked at all, fully expect it from a paranoid, failing set up.

 

[panpete]

I'm normally open to conspiracies, but I am aware that I can sometimes be paranoid, what interest has the government got with my mobile phone?

 

[two sheds]

this is in US pete, haven't seen the same in the UK

 

[panpete]

this is in US pete, haven't seen the same in the UK

ok I see thanks

 

[Streathamite]

I wish I could say I was suprised, but I'm not. The US is lurching ever nore in that totalitarian/authoritarian direction, and we/they have ever more technological wherewithal to that end, with each passing day. It's all of a piece with the Snowden revelations

 

[farmerbarleymow]

If they are tracking phones in the UK they wouldn't learn much from me - my phone has barely went outside for months.

 

[skyscraper101]

Same, I sometimes wonder if there really was someone keeping tabs on me, they'd have a very dull job.

 

[StoneRoad]

If you want a conspiracy theory ...

howz about ...

Not only are these phones tracking you, they are also listening in to every word around them ...
(ie just adding two "theories" together !)

 

[Sprocket.]

If they are tracking phones in the UK they wouldn't learn much from me

Apart from the plethora of seagull pictures.

 

[cupid_stunt]

If they are tracking phones in the UK they wouldn't learn much from me - my phone has barely went outside for months.

Ditto...

editor, I know what you mean, I got one of those 'google maps timeline' e-mails the other day.

They logged my 'highlights' in July as:

1 - 'Cities' visited - Worthing (home), Lancing (< I had to pick something up, to deliver to>), Shoreham.

2 - Places visited - Tesco Extra, Tesco Express, and the Co-op.

 

[panpete]

Same, I sometimes wonder if there really was someone keeping tabs on me, they'd have a very dull job.

Me too

 

[souljacker]

It doesn't really matter if your life is so dull that they won't care. That's the equivalent of saying if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. What if you do have something to hide in the future?

Snowden says in his book that there is no such thing as privacy anymore. Everything you do on the internet can be tracked by someone if they want. And the UK are complicit in this too. It's no conspiracy either. It's public record. If you want to be secure on the internet, you've not got many options. Tor helps but even that isn't 100% secure. The only real option is don't use the internet.

 

[panpete]

It doesn't really matter if your life is so dull that they won't care. That's the equivalent of saying if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. What if you do have something to hide in the future?

Snowden says in his book that there is no such thing as privacy anymore. Everything you do on the internet can be tracked by someone if they want. And the UK are complicit in this too. It's no conspiracy either. It's public record. If you want to be secure on the internet, you've not got many options. Tor helps but even that isn't 100% secure. The only real option is don't use the internet.

Good point. I am a bit wary of Snowden, nice guy but used to work for CIA. In exile in Russia but dunno if something going on, could be wrong.
The internet was possibly made to eradicate privacy.
It was supposed to replace libraries, go in a library with a question, they will either lead you to a book or answer it in a fraction of the time it takes to wade through google sseach results which CEO now admits they are censored, but I digress, back to privacy.

 

[8ball]

If they are tracking phones in the UK they wouldn't learn much from me - my phone has barely went outside for months.

This is one of the things they are wanting to know.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

It doesn't really matter if your life is so dull that they won't care. That's the equivalent of saying if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. What if you do have something to hide in the future?

Snowden says in his book that there is no such thing as privacy anymore. Everything you do on the internet can be tracked by someone if they want. And the UK are complicit in this too. It's no conspiracy either. It's public record. If you want to be secure on the internet, you've not got many options. Tor helps but even that isn't 100% secure. The only real option is don't use the internet.

Totally agree - there's no such thing as privacy online so you have to decide whether you accept that trade off.

 

[Sprocket.]

Totally agree - there's no such thing as privacy online so you have to decide whether you accept that trade off.

We here at GCHQ thank you for your understanding and support.

 

[Marty1]

the mind boggles about what this data's being used for

Spoiler

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

My insurance company will give you a substantial discount on car insurance if you download their app to your phone. It monitors your driving and you get a discount based upon the information it gathers such as speed, where you are driving, miles driven, adherence to traffic laws, etc. For the moment this is optional. It'll be required at some point I'm sure.

<edited to add>
I just got notice at my university that I'm required to download an app for the Corona virus. You're supposed to check your temp and report every day using the app. Since I'm a distance student any way, I'm going to ignore it. I don't see any rational reason why someone who lives 200 miles away from campus needs to adhere to that requirement.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

This is one of the things they are wanting to know.

Its like Facebook profiles. Having no profile is a profile.

 

[BristolEcho]

I have far to many apps on my phone. My data is fucked I'm sure.