Mobile apps compromise on privacy A host of new mobile applications that are available for free downloading and have a huge number of takers among youngsters, are compromising on privacy as well as security. Some can track a person’s whereabouts as well. Applications have become targeted, easy to use, provide mobility and make it easy to connect absolute strangers over a common hobby or interest. As a result, groups interested in trekking and such other hobbies meet and connect with random strangers to pursue their interests without delving into security concerns. On the one hand, while applications make it easier to pair up with a movie lover or a trekker or a cycling enthusiast, they are also invading our private spaces in a big way.Applications like ‘True Caller’ which allows one to identify all possible details of any given phone number, can even trace a person at any given point of time with GPS tracking. “The ‘True Caller’ application is very useful in tracing a caller. Once I could not hear the name of the person who had called me on behalf of a company for an interview as I was in the middle of a market. I could trace the name with the help of the application but it also gets creepy when any person who may even have overheard a number can get very personal details like address, name, profession, email id, etc.,” said a user, P. Rajesh from the Uppal area. What is worse about these apps is that in most cases, there is no option to block people we may not want. “Watsapp and Wechat, which are among the latest additions to the applications, leave very little private space as the downloader is exposed to all other downloaders using these applications. Even if I have spoken once to someone having the same application, they can contact me through the application, see my profile details and pictures that are placed there,” said another user.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 07:55:33 +0000
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