appethics

Security and privacy

app permissions explorer

SHOW HN2014

6points
7comments
#2,086of 2,272 in 2014
Top 92%of 2014 by points

How HN took it

QuietFewer than 5 comments about the project

2 positive, 0 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 1 critical, out of 3 comments about the project.

Idea: 2 for, 0 againstExecution: 0 for, 1 against

The thread, comment by comment

Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.

positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker

What HN said

What people liked

  • Better than the Play Store's hidden permissions link

    From 1 comment
    • It's a good tool, certainly much better than the play store's almost hidden "View permissions" link. Perhaps it can be enhanced to take into account API level differences too,…
      lovelearning on HN
  • Would help users avoid bad apps and find alternatives

    From 1 comment
    • For what it's worth: I've forever been on the lookout of an app that sits in the background and informs users of bad apps -- and suggest cleaner alternatives. I'm tired of…
      anilgulecha on HN

Objections

  • Site did not display the same permissions list as the app

    From 1 comment
    • Cool site, but it doesn't seem to work. It doesn't display the same list that the app displays. Reading the list the app displays looks scary. Reading the list on the site makes…
      chrismcb on HN

Requests

  • Account for API level differences in permission meaning

    From 1 comment
    • It's a good tool, certainly much better than the play store's almost hidden "View permissions" link. Perhaps it can be enhanced to take into account API level differences too,…
      lovelearning on HN
  • Add a rating or score based on permissions

    From 2 comments
    • For what it's worth: I've forever been on the lookout of an app that sits in the background and informs users of bad apps -- and suggest cleaner alternatives. I'm tired of…
      anilgulecha on HN
    • Thanks for the feedback, especially around the rating system. I am planning on surfacing some type of rating or score, derived from the required permissions, in the near future.
      bndw on HN

Questions

  • Which app shows a permissions discrepancy

    From 1 comment
    • Can you provide more information? What app is giving you a discrepancy?
      bndw on HN

Alternatives named

  • Play Store View permissions link

    From 1 comment
    • It's a good tool, certainly much better than the play store's almost hidden "View permissions" link. Perhaps it can be enhanced to take into account API level differences too,…
      lovelearning on HN
  • Tools that analyze Android bytecode for permission use

    From 1 comment
    • Perhaps the most reliable way to know exactly what all a permission allows, is to write an analyzer tool that analyzes android platform sources and/or bytecode looking for calls…
      lovelearning on HN

Category, keywords, summaries and labels on this page were made by AI (Thread Reader v2) and not checked by hand. Each point links to the comments it came from.

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