Installing apps, Android in this case, is at times a bit of WTF. It shouldn’t have to, but it is. The amount of personal information that some apps gather can be extreme. This concern is especially true after Google removed the very necessary App Ops (permission manager) app.
Let me provide an example. An app that I recently installed asked for the following (and other) permissions:
Your location precise location (GPS and network-based) Your personal information read your own contact card Phone calls read phone status and identity Your social information read your contacts Your accounts find accounts on the device
Not all apps need such amount of personal information. It is so important to gather just the information that is really needed, and nothing else. It is also very important to be responsible with things such as geo-fencing as well as having in place good privacy guidelines that are really in taken seriously.
A number of years ago I wrote a set of Guidelines for Location (and Other Sensitive) Data that that are still quite relevant. Check them out; I hope you find them useful.
/ceo