Rogue Android apps rack up hidden charges Applications installed on an Android handset are capable of automatically switching on data connectivity, and roaming, so their owners run up huge data charges. Several US users have complained of unexpected data charges being run up on their G1 handsets, and Engadget reports that T-Mobile has put out a statement clarifying …
...the carriers are still fleecing people for data charges.
With the advent of the iPhone and Android (and all the other 'smartphones around') it's about time the carriers - who punt mobile internet connectivity as if it's a right not a privilege - started making the charging structure so people can just us it without running up large bills.
It's not fair to blame the app developers, nor the platform. If a platform comes out which offers GPS, web connectivity, etc., etc then why not use it? Complaining that it's the app devs fault is a bit like somebody complaining when they installed vista without having broadband and then had to pay for 3 weeks' of constant dial-up connection costs because it had to download 300MB of updates.
there were so many El Reg readers last year saying how horrific it was that Apple were locking down the apps on the iPhone and how it was a human rights violations and all sorts and how Android would show the world the way
funny how none of them have commented on this story to explain why it's still such a good idea to allow apps on the device this kind of control
I've had a Windows app initiate a data connection without notifying me. That's because I wanted an app that would do that. I'd be a bit miffed if I'd bought an iPhone and found that an app which needed to instantiate a connection (e.g., an RSS aggregator) couldn't do so because of some dumb limitation of the OS.
Although the iPhone circumvents the 'shady background apps initiating a connection' by not allowing any apps to run in the background. D'oh.
It is true that an app can send network data on its own if you grant it permissions for that. But there is a setting which disables data when roaming:
Settings -> Wireless Controls -> Mobile networks -> Data roaming - Connect to data services when roaming.
This is enabled by default but can be turned off. I wonder if apps are overriding this as well or if unchecking this would solve the problem. It seems like it would be better to have this setting disabled by default to prevent this sort of thing and to not let applications override it. So I suspect a work-around would be to simply uncheck this setting.
Not having looked at android yet I'm not sure how configurable the connections are but surely this should be easy for anyone with even minimal tech skills.
Simply set up any WIFI connections with your preferred encryption and passwords etc and then set any network data (GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA etc) connections to request a password.
When I'm anywhere that I have "unlimited" access, data works no problems, If i'm out and want to go online, the phone wont connect unless I switch the password option off on the connection I want to use.
none of the network defined connections actually require a password but forcing the phone to ask for one prevents it from inadvertantly connecting and me having to explain high data charges to my boss - takes a few seconds to change the setting
mines the one with the large pocket for the rediculous N61 calulator lookalike that work requires i carry around...
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