Why apps?

Jan 08, 2022 Last reply: 3 years ago 42 Replies

Do you want us to send you a brochure (browser), or shall we send someone round to hand you the brochure and search through your house while you're reading it, to see what else we can sell you (app)?

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That addresses a different problem (and I'm not sure it does so comprehensively).

What I think would be more useful is a filter that lets existing resources masquerade as something else.

So, your GPS location is reported as "Oval Office, White House, Washington, D.C." regardless of where you are actually located -- but, only for application X. For application Y, it may report a completely random (lat,lon). And, for application Z, it may report the truth.

Likewise, your contacts listed as "Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto" for application X but "Fred, Barney, Wilma, Betty" for application Y.

The list of installed apps reported as "NONE" for application X but a truthful disclosure for application Y and a fanciful list for Z (that doesn't include Z in that list! sort that one out, Z-developer!)

Etc.

You'd still need to add a number of active and conditional hooks to take actions that you'd likely be too undisciplined to take consistently (e.g., turn off BT and WiFi when near the following locations -- so infrastructure in those locations can't "see" your phone).

The System is gamed against the user if privacy is a goal. "The only winning move is not to play".

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