Those Android wallpaper apps that were highlighted at the Black Hat security conference have been returned to the Android Market. Rather than malicious, the developers of the apps were collecting information to use for preferences and recommending other apps, but collecting just a bit too zealously.
Meanwhile, Jackeey Wallpaper wasn't actually causing any harm to users. That said, Google told the developer there were better ways to store preferences, which wouldn't require as much personal info (though it never mined SMS history, browsing history, or the voicemail password as first reported).
With that investigation complete, Google restored the apps to the Android market. "The developer's applications have been reviewed and the suspension has been lifted," Google said.
Thus ends an incident that brought attention to the Android Market. The incident was such a scare, that it led some to ask for the Android Market to become as closed as Apple's App Store.
Comments