[tbernstein]

Permissions:
Install a new programme (app) and it will ask for permissions to be changed.
Most seem to want total access to everything. I don't even know what most of the things are. Still less do I know what having the access gives to them ( i.e why they want it).
And above all I don't know if the apps need that access becasue a.) It's part of the core functionality, b.) They want that access for their own purposes but won't let the app run if they haven't got it, c.) are just asking for all those permissions becasue they know that most users will just give it to them, or d.) they can't be bothered to narrow down which permissions they actually need.

So, what are these various pemissions, what do they do and why do the software producers ask for the access?

[Dougsg38p]

The RIM OS restricts access to just about everything. Phone, email, SMS, Internet, PIM data, user info, etc.

Even a stupid game needs to have acccess to the phone, (for example) so that the game can be suspended when a call is incoming.

Now, I'm not saying there aren't apps out there claiming permisisons they don't need, because I've seen "free" apps that farm your contacts and track your GPS position. But I'm guessing that the access is legitimate most of the time. It's really up to you to decide.

[tbernstein]

Thanks, that makes sense.
But as in so many things, RIM are a bit short in the information department. To make an informed decision I (all of us - actually) need to know what it is that we are giving away.

[devnull]

Personally I think it should be a requirement for app developers to provide what permissions are required and why before being allowed to publish on the appstore.

[tbernstein]

Originally Posted by devnull

Personally I think it should be a requirement for app developers to provide what permissions are required and why before being allowed to publish on the appstore.

i agree 100%