It looks like developers working at Facebook really love to live dangerously. The company knows how to violate the user trust and play loose and fast with data protection and user privacy. The recent Cambridge Analytica scandal is a perfect example of the same.
In another shocking development, the company’s Facebook Android app was caught asking users for “superuser” permissions to their phones. For those who don’t know, superuser mode, also known as God Mode or root access, can expose your device to all kinds of possible security and data leak risks.
Over the weekend, numerous Android smartphone owners voiced their concerns via Reddit and Twitter. They also posted screenshots showing the app asking for root access “forever.”
Facebook app in my phone keep asking me Superuser (root) access permission. What's going on? What is it trying to do? #facebook #superuser #android #magisk pic.twitter.com/gJKIbHmg08
— Emanuel Caesar, BCs (@emanuelcaesar) May 17, 2018
In case you’re wondering if the apps have been installed via some third-party app store, let me tell you that’s not the case here–this is happening with the official app installed from Google Play Store.
The security researchers have pointed out that it could’ve happened due to WhiteOps SDK (Via Bleeping Computer) that’s embedded in the app for detecting ad fraud. This popup has been appearing on some devices for at least a week.
Later, a Facebook spokesperson confirmed that the permission popup was actually due to a coding error. “We do not need or want these permissions, and we have already fixed this issue. We apologize for any confusion,” the company said.
What are your views on this story? Can you trust Facebook with your data? Share your thoughts and keep reading Fossbytes.
Also Read: Teensafe, A Teen Phone Monitoring App, Leaks Thousands Of Apple ID Passwords
