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LG U+’s smartphone tracking app fuels privacy fears

Posted September. 22, 2011 07:53,   

A Dong-A Ilbo reporter sent a 10-character text message on a smartphone to another person. The recipient received a text message with a tone. When the person clicked the message to read it, his smartphone automatically dialed the reporter’s.

This happened after the reporter installed “Freeze,” an automatic calling application designed for monitoring a boyfriend or girlfriend, on the smartphone. The app was downloaded to see if it could be used to violate privacy and eavesdrop.

This app is for smartphones using the Google Android operating system, which one can download from OZ Store, LG U+’s app store. The app is originally priced at 1,000 won (87 cents), but when the reporter visited OZ Store, it was just 600 won (52 cents).

This app was detected by ruling Grand National Party Rep. Lee Byung-seok when he surveyed personal data collection practices by apps sold by domestic mobile carriers at their app stores.

The Freeze app was downloaded by nearly 700 people as of Wednesday, and comes with a function to call to a lover who rejects taking calls, and thus to force his or her smartphone to make a return call automatically.

Introduction of the app at OZ Store suggests that “This app is recommended to be installed in secret.” The app is generally OK for most smartphone users, but could be used for wiretapping against people unfamiliar with using smartphones.

Lee said, “The registration of this app was rejected by SK Telecom’s T Store, but it is problematic that LG U+ is selling it,” adding, “Action is needed to address app review systems that differ from mobile carrier to carrier.”

A smartphone app for "monitoring lovers” using the global positioning system has also caused a stir in Japan as well. Japanese software developer Manuscript began selling Aug. 30 “Karelog,” an app for Android that is a combination of “Kare” meaning “boyfriend” and “log” meaning position data.

Karelog’s position tracking functions are highly precise and diverse. After becoming a regular member by paying 525 yen (7 dollars) a month, a user can download the app onto the smartphone of the person he or she wants to track to check the other’s location and phone battery condition.

A platinum member who pays 25 dollars per month can access the other party’s call listing, dates and time when calls were made, and apps installed on the smartphone.

Karelog was downloaded by more than 10,000 users in less than one week after the service was launched. This app has a small data volume, is easy to download and install, and its icon is designed to be unnoticeable.

When one downloads the app to a smartphone while its user is momentarily away, the smartphone’s owner might not know if he or she is being tracked.

In the end, Manuscript stopped providing the service just a week after its launch, saying, “We deeply atone for it.” It also changed the look of the icon to ensure that it is spotted instantly and informs the person who is tracked when the app is downloaded to his or her smartphone.

The app has also been renamed “location data service for lovers.”



sanhkim@donga.com kimkihy@donga.com