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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFacebook Messenger appears to have more spyware code in it than commercial spyware products...."
tweeted Jonathan Zdziarski, a noted author and expert in iOS related digital forensics and security on Tuesday.
The story:
In August, Facebook announced that it would no longer be allowing its users to communicate via private message on mobile phones without first downloading its proprietary "Messenger" app.
Some of those who downloaded the app may be thinking twice this week about keeping the app around, however, in light of one iOS forensics and security researcher's recent assertions that Messenger is tracking more data than most people realize.
"Messenger appears to have more spyware type code in it than I've seen in products intended specifically for enterprise surveillance," tweeted Jonathan Zdziarski, a noted author and expert in iOS related digital forensics and security on Tuesday.
Several of his tweets previous to this shed light upon what he found while disassembling Facebook Messenger's iOS binary.
Messenger has so many analytics running (even in the background), it would not surprise me if your battery life noticeably suffered.
-- Jonathan Zdziarski (@JZdziarski) September 9, 2014
Messenger performs analytics on everything - windows you view, everything you tap, icon badge number, application state, everything you do.
-- Jonathan Zdziarski (@JZdziarski) September 9, 2014
Messenger even gathers data on how much time you spend using it in the foreground, vs. background time. So glad I don't use Facebook.
-- Jonathan Zdziarski (@JZdziarski) September 9, 2014
Messenger even gathers data on what orientation you're holding your phone in most often.
http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/09/facebook-messenger-found-to-be-tracking-a-lot-more-data-than-you-think.html?cmp=fbtl&utm_content=buffera73d4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=bufferSome of those who downloaded the app may be thinking twice this week about keeping the app around, however, in light of one iOS forensics and security researcher's recent assertions that Messenger is tracking more data than most people realize.
"Messenger appears to have more spyware type code in it than I've seen in products intended specifically for enterprise surveillance," tweeted Jonathan Zdziarski, a noted author and expert in iOS related digital forensics and security on Tuesday.
Several of his tweets previous to this shed light upon what he found while disassembling Facebook Messenger's iOS binary.
Messenger has so many analytics running (even in the background), it would not surprise me if your battery life noticeably suffered.
-- Jonathan Zdziarski (@JZdziarski) September 9, 2014
Messenger performs analytics on everything - windows you view, everything you tap, icon badge number, application state, everything you do.
-- Jonathan Zdziarski (@JZdziarski) September 9, 2014
Messenger even gathers data on how much time you spend using it in the foreground, vs. background time. So glad I don't use Facebook.
-- Jonathan Zdziarski (@JZdziarski) September 9, 2014
Messenger even gathers data on what orientation you're holding your phone in most often.
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Facebook Messenger appears to have more spyware code in it than commercial spyware products...." (Original Post)
dixiegrrrrl
Sep 2014
OP
I feel like a dinosaur, I do almost nothing on my phone, no e-mail, no facebook,
hollysmom
Sep 2014
#3
msongs
(67,193 posts)1. is that the regular facebook phone app or just the messenger? nt
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)2. The article suggests it is Messenger.
I don't have FAcebook, so rely on articles like this to keep me informed of spy ware issues.
hollysmom
(5,946 posts)3. I feel like a dinosaur, I do almost nothing on my phone, no e-mail, no facebook,
just a little web browsing to friends web sites cleared of any spyware issues.
Man from Pickens
(1,713 posts)4. Facebook IS spyware
the most clever kind, the kind that gets you to voluntarily spy on yourself and hand them the info
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)5. Facebook was not invented by the devil, but he is thankful for the help.