Storm8, the developer of popular gaming apps like iMobsters and Vampires Live is in the news for all the wrong reasons.
A case has been filed against the company by Washington resident, Michael Turner for allegedly harvesting cellphone numbers of iPhone users downloading their iPhone apps.
This is not the first time that Storm8 is being suspected of illegally harvesting cellphone numbers. Earlier this year, SFGate.com website had written about the company's possible malpractices in one of their columns. However, it is only now that a case is being filed. The complainant has sought for a class action status to his suit so that other affected iPhone users may join in. Storm8 claims that their applications have been downloaded over 20 million times so far.
It is interesting how the iPhone apps managed to sneak past Apple's App approval procedures. In his complaint, Turner claims that:
"Storm8 makes use of the ‘backdoor’ method to access, collect, and transmit the wireless phone numbers of iPhones on which its games are installed".
On its part, Storm8 had earlier stated that numbers were indeed being harvested, but that was more so because of a bug that has since then been fixed.
Safeguarding customer privacy has always been a matter of concern. Last September we had written about a similar offence by a Swiss traffic app that had compromised a lot many cellphone numbers to telemarketers. Back then, we had reported that the loophole exploited to dig out customer details had existed on the iPhone SDK since firmware 2.1.
As the provider of the interface between users and iPhone app developers, where does Apple stand in this entire episode? Since in both the cases, Apple had given an explicit approval before the iPhone apps reached the iPhone users, does it make them equally culpable? Please tell us your opinion in the comments.
[via MediaPost]
I think people drill apple all the time for locking down their device, for not allowing software to be installed on the phones with an app store (and it's approval process). I think this episode is just a perfect example of what could be happening so much more if apple didn't control their device so much. Credit to apple I say, I hope this makes people have a bit more faith in the app store approval rather than criticize it.
but this is one that was approved. And i never heard of any problems like this with cydia store and rock and icy(R.I.P)
This calls for an iPhone version of Little Snitch…
There is a Little Snitch type app for the iPhone. Check in the Cydia store for something like iPhone Firewall. It's not free, but it's there.
@joyful – I don't understand why you're praising Apple's App Store approval process when it failed to do exactly the thing they say the process takes so long to accomplish.
Apples is the one setting the rules and testing and verifying which apps they allow or dissallow so you know what I think they are just as much fault. If we were allowed to do what we wanted and it was open then it would be between the app developer and the person. But this isnt the case you would never see somethign like this in a open phone cause the maker of the other devices have it open where you can install what you want so releases thier liability. I say put apple in the suit if they get hit on it then maybe they would just open it up
Apple can't be blamed for the malpractices of others..but it is a concern. if they are going to require an approval process in the first place, this should never happen. in fact..if this company, Storm8, was already under suspicion..Apple should have done something before it got to this point.
I believe Apple is responsible for NOT being responsible. Privacy is a very big concern..especially in this day..and for Apple to let THIS slip?? I mean..think of all the other things they reject..for almost no reason at all..
and this guy..storm8…
"bug" my ASS..
how stupid is that? a bug that catches all the phone numbers of anyone using the app??
the most retarded thing i've ever heard.
I've used Storm8 applications- this really pisses me off. I'm finding the class action suit now.