RallyPoint App for Droids; why does it ask for access?

2014-11-19T03:24:56-05:00

I am very selective on what apps I have on my phone/tablet because everyone wants access to all your information. I went to download the
Rally Point App for Driods and was surprised by what they asked for......access to your account(s) information, callender, media files, and photo files stored on your tablet/phone. Can anyone explain why they would need this information?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 10:59 AM

2014-11-19T10:59:49-05:00

SSG Foreman, actually that is very common in nearly all the apps I have. While I don't have a definitive answer for RP...I know that other apps for free might use the information for meta data that might be useful to advertisers, etc.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 19 at 2014 11:19 AM

2014-11-19T11:19:50-05:00

Not sure about why the app requires access to your calendar; maybe its for a future feature; but the reason it asks for access to your media/photos is because you are able to post photos on the forums through your mobile device.

I been part of the beta testers for the app both on iOS and Android based devices and the permissions seem to be inline with all the other apps within the same category as RallyPoint.

Maybe LTC Yinon Weiss or one of his staff members can shed more light on it

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Nov 19 at 2014 12:34 PM

2014-11-19T12:34:55-05:00

I think when APPs are created thru a generator, it is just common place in the setup for ALL the information to be accessible. Call it NSA, call it whatever you may, but when I read the access request, I cringe each time and seriously DO NOT want to download the application, but some have become so hassle free in daily life operations. Take a look at the access request for ALL your apps and you will find them pretty standard. I like the RP APP, ound it the other day, but I also am having issues with it, not sure if it is my connection or the APP.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Nov 19 at 2014 4:26 PM

2014-11-19T16:26:51-05:00

Hi,

RallyPoint does not need access to your calendar, but Google lumps "Contacts/Calendar" together. By providing access to your contacts, we are able to better recommend people that you may already know on RallyPoint. Check it out here:

https://www.rallypoint.com/people

The media/photo files are also all grouped together by Google. RallyPoint needs access to that in order to allow you to upload photos, such as your profile photo. Without this access, the phone won't allow you to choose a photo to upload to the app. We don't collect any of the photo or media information itself, unless you choose to upload something.

I hope this helps!

Response by SSG Jim Foreman made Nov 19 at 2014 4:51 PM

2014-11-19T16:51:21-05:00

Thank you all for the information. While it is true just about every app ask for permission to access your entire life (well almost), I, like CW5 Sam Baker, cringe whenever I hit the allow button.