If there is a case for writing the requested device permissions, it is done by an Android application with more than 10 million downloads from Google Play. Them The official app for the Spanish soccer league La Liga has recently been updated to find access to the user’s microphone and GPS settings. When offered, the app processes audio snippets in an attempt to identify outdoor sites that broadcast football games without a license.
Just like us information issued by La Liga officials, the functionality was added last Friday and it only works after users click “yes” to an Android dialog asking if the app can access the device’s microphone and local area. The statement said that the object is only used to identify establishments that broadcast games without a license and that the application takes special precautions to prevent it from spying on end users.
According to the statement, which Google means:
La Liga has implemented appropriate technical measures to protect user privacy if you authorize us to use this functionality. Here are the dimensions:
- La Liga will only activate microphone and mobile coverage during the time slots of games in which La Liga teams compete.
- La Liga does not access the audio fragments taken by the device’s microphone, as these are automatically converted into binary code on the device itself. Only La Liga has access to this binary code, which cannot be changed and is not allowed to be recorded again.
- If this code matches the previous control code, LaLiga will know that you watched a specific game. If it doesn’t match, the code is deleted.
- The code will not refer to your name, but to your IP address and the specific ID assigned by the APP when the user registers.
- We will periodically remind you that LaLiga may activate your microphone and local area and we will ask you to confirm your consent.
- You can cancel your order at any time in the mobile device settings.
Without more details and technical analysis of the application, it is difficult to evaluate the recommendations regarding the conversion of audio that has been converted to a binary format that cannot be converted back to audio. That alone should be reason enough for users to deny this permission.
But even if you use the app cryptographic soil or some other means to ensure that fragments of stored or transmitted content cannot be misused by company insiders or hackers (a critical assumption), there are reasons why users should refuse permission this. For one, allowing an application to capture the IP address, unique application ID, binary representation of the voice, and the time the voice was modified can provide a fair amount of information over time about a user. For another, end users who frequent local bars and restaurants should not be put in the position of policing sports copyrights, especially with an app that uses audio from their phone here. every.
A Google spokesperson had no comment on the application other than to point it out this policy, which is a feature on all apps in the Play Store. Among other things, the policy requires those materials disclose any collection of personal or sensitive user data. Such applications must also demonstrate consent in a “clear and unambiguous manner.” The process repeats treacherous behavior.
If the La Liga app does what league officials say, it probably complies with Google’s rules. Fortunately, those rules require that the app provide a permission dialog. That puts the onus on users to choose “No.”
Image listing by James Lee / Flickr