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Updated Facebook app for Android might be checking up on you

By Alan Friedman

Published: Apr 14, 2013, 11:55 AM

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Updated Facebook app for Android might be checking up on you

Some of the new permissions for the updated Facebook app on Android

At the same time that the Facebook Home launcher was released in the Google Play Store, Facebook updated its Android app. This also resulted in new permissions requested for the app to run on an Android phone. Based on a full description on the Google Play Store, the Facebook app for Android now seeks to Retrieve Running Apps which means that by installing the app you are agreeing to allow it "to retrieve information about currently and recently running tasks. This may allow the app to discover information about which applications are used on the device."

It is interesting that the Facebook Home app says that it "requires no special permissions to run," which probably indicates that the launcher combines with the Facebook app to run. It is unknown at this point if the information is being "retrieved" only when requested by the launcher, or if the running apps data is kept every time you use the updated Facebook app on your Android phone.

The information is most likely anonymous and while there probably is nothing in it that could damage one's sterling reputation, those prone to conspiracy theories are going to be upset anyway.

source: TheNextWeb via RedmondPie

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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