[NJTechDiv] These robocall apps are harvesting your data

[Mario Brusco]

These robocall apps are harvesting your data
https://www.komando.com/happening-now/587180/robocall-blockers-privacy-harvesting-your-data?utm_medium=nlutm_source=alertsutm_content=2019-08-11

By James Gelinas, Komando.com

Oh the irony! Just when you thought you had obtained relief from the 
robocalls that invade your privacy, security researchers have found that 
a number of call-blocking applications may not be as privacy friendly as 
you might have assumed.

As it turns out, several of the most popular apps you can download to 
block robocalls are actually harvesting personal data and sharing them 
with analytics companies. These companies then sell your data to 
marketers and advertisers — some of whom may even be robocallers as 
well. It's like a never-ending circle of spam!

If you're looking to truly free yourself from robocalls, your solutions 
may be limited for the time being. But at the very least, here's what 
you need to know about blocker apps that harvest your data — and which 
ones might be worth deleting from your device altogether.
https://www.komando.com/tips/573696/robocall-revenge-how-some-consumers-are-fighting-back-and-you-can-too

Not-so-private callers.

According to recent reports from CNet, security analysts at the NCC 
Group found that a number of the iOS App Store's most popular 
robocalling apps are harvesting user data and selling them to analytics 
companies.
https://www.komando.com/happening-now/579296/trick-robocallers-with-a-fake-phone-number

This knowledge was obtained after thoroughly reading the privacy 
policies of these applications, and

noticing their wording granted consent to user data in exchange for the 
services provided.

One app in particular, TrapCall, was found to be sharing users' phone 
numbers in particular with third party analytic companies. Worse still, 
the privacy policy didn't even state this was occurring, as the app 
uploaded the data in the background.

TrapCall's privacy policy has since been updated to reflect that it 
shares data with third parties. This app is currently the top robocall 
blocker on the iOS App Store.

Nothing in life is free.

Data harvesting in free apps seems to be a recurring theme this decade — 
but it's not without precedent or reason. If an application is free, 
developers still need to generate revenue in order to support their 
projects and livelihoods. This has lead to an idea among industry 
insiders and analysts alike that if a program is free — it means the 
users themselves are the product being sold.

As for who the buyers are, it's typically third parties that have a 
vested interest in collecting demographic data. This data is then sold 
to other interested parties — like robocallers, for example — who would 
be interested in purchasing massive lists of aggregated phone numbers.

So for now, it's safe to say that there isn't much that can be done 
about data harvesting in free robocall blockers. Even still, just 
because your data is being harvested doesn't mean it's inherently a bad 
thing. Sure, one could interpret it as a violation of privacy 
(especially when the harvesting isn't disclosed), but it's

ultimately the choice of the user whether or not they decide if a 
service is worth using.

So ask yourself this: Is it worth blocking robocalls if you know your 
data is being harvested? If you answered "yes," there shouldn't be too 
much harm to continue using the apps. If robocalls annoy you that much, 
more power to you. Otherwise, deleting apps like TrapCall, Hiya and 
Truecaller might be in your best interest.

If you're considering switching to a paid app, that may be a sensible 
move — as the user fees provide a revenue flow for developers. This may 
lead them to avoid depending on third parties to generate their bottom 
line. However, make sure to read the privacy policy before you hit that 
download button. Otherwise, you might end up back where you started 
privacy-wise.