download permissions 11.19.2013
Mozilla Firefox has a new update. Their permissions annoy me greatly.
Why under Hardware Controls does it need to "take pictures and videos" - (meaning it will be doing so using MY Droid phone)? What are they taking photos of? And certainly that will be without my permission in each instance since by downloading the update I am automatically giving them permission to take a photo anytime and anywhere without any other permissions from me.
Why under Your accounts does it need to "use accounts on the device." What other accounts on my device does Firefox need to use and why?
Why under "See all" and then Your Accounts does it need to "find accounts on your device." Why does Firefox need to find what accounts I have on my Droid phone? What will Firefox do with this information?
Permissions on Droid phones seem to get more and more lax and it concerns me greatly. Although this update does not do it, I even notice that some of the permissions even allow the App update permission to make long distance calls from contacts on your phone without your permission.
I hope someone can please lay my concerns to rest. Thank you very much.
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hello nony1, the reason behind all the requested permissions is explained in How does Firefox for Android use the permissions it requests?
access to hardware controls in particular is used for technologies like webrtc: https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2013/09/17/webrtc-now-available-across-mobile-and-desktop-with-new-firefox-for-android-compatibility/
of course your camera/microphone will not turned on automatically, but there will be a dialog that enables you to choose if you want to do so each time a page is requesting that. for a demo how this is done please visit: https://apprtc.appspot.com
regarding the accounts permission - if you choose to use firefox sync to synchronise your phone with your desktop browser this will be handled through an account managed through the android system settings.