The US FTC has just announced that it will be notifying developers of Android apps when they are using software that is potentially infringing on privacy rights. The software, SilverPush, is an advertising framework that has the FTC concerned that it can take control of the device’s microphone and use it to listen in for background noise such as TV shows. The information gathered with this software is then sold to third-party advertisers by the owners.
So far the FTC has contacted 12 developers and warned them of the trouble with SilverPush in the applications. The specific apps and developers have not been released yet. Ideally these developers will take quick steps to have the software removed from their apps as quickly as possible.
The developers of SilverPush claim that this framework isn’t used in the United States. The FTC, however is taking preemptive action to help ensure that it doesn’t come this way. This is especially important because while this software may not be in apps on the official Google Play store, it could be released in non-official app sources.
While app developers are not legally required to remove SilverPush, it is certainly a good idea, especially if they want to get their apps to wider use since most people will be unwilling to use their apps if this type of information gets out about them.
