New MFC app

[ManDee 7,159]

The new Melbourne Football Club app requires access to Device & app history, Identity, Calendar, Contacts, Location, Photos/Media files,Camera, WiFi connection info, Device ID & call information. Why? Surely there is no need for the bolded items, in fact do they need any of the info?

I have contacted the club, they said you don't have to accept, but if you don't you have no access! Not good enough.

[Drunkn167 5,093]

There's no need to be so paranoid dude, a lot of apps don't even use most the connected stuff anyway. It's just used for different things within the app itself, it's not like the Football club is saving all of your personal info for its own evil purposes, it's not the US government.

[Gorgoroth 12,966]

Yep. Mine doesnt work as I don't allow that sorry of access. Oh well, I'll unistall.

[Engorged Onion 10,222]

1 minute ago, Drunkn167 said:

There's no need to be so paranoid dude, a lot of apps don't even use most the connected stuff anyway. It's just used for different things within the app itself, it's not like the Football club is saving all of your personal info for its own evil purposes, it's not the US government.

But it may sell the information to agencies for a profit (a last we'll be in the black!)

[Drunkn167 5,093]

5 minutes ago, Danelska said:

But it may sell the information to agencies for a profit (a last we'll be in the black!)

The NSA has detailed information on anyone in the world that has ever logged into an Internet connection or a phone line anyway, it's not like the MFC app is gonna give them anything they don't already have.

[ManDee 7,159]

10 minutes ago, Drunkn167 said:

There's no need to be so paranoid dude, a lot of apps don't even use most the connected stuff anyway. It's just used for different things within the app itself, it's not like the Football club is saving all of your personal info for its own evil purposes, it's not the US government.

167 if they don't need it don't ask for it! They want all my contacts, all my photos, all my calendar details, all my call details. NO from me.

 

Edit:- I have no doubt that government agencies can have all that information, but I hope that they have more integrity than some app developer selling apps to footy clubs.

Edited February 2, 2017 by ManDee

[Rainbow 35]

Somewhere on Demonland there was mention made of access to AFL Live, for free,  if you had the MFC app and you are a MFC member.

Does any body know how this works as I can't see it on the MFC app I downloaded?

 

[Rainbow 35]

Sorry, my mistake. It was the AFL app that was mentioned not the MFC app.

[Drunkn167 5,093]

12 minutes ago, ManDee said:

167 if they don't need it don't ask for it! They want all my contacts, all my photos, all my calendar details, all my call details. NO from me.

That's not how it works though mate.

'Access' doesn't mean 'we are looking at what is on your phone and saving it' it means that the app has the ability to use those other apps on your phone.

All access does is allow you to use different apps together, for example, the photos is so you can upload to the apps Photo Booth, and download the wallpapers, it uses the calendar so it can automatically input specific events into your phone, cal details is just the broad headline for the access to the ringtones, and the contacts is probably for a futures feature such as having your mates connected through the app.

Theyre not after your information, people tend to freak out when they see the word access, but you really don't need too.

Edited February 2, 2017 by Drunkn167

[ManDee 7,159]

6 minutes ago, Drunkn167 said:

That's not how it works though mate.

'Access' doesn't mean 'we are looking at what is on your phone and saving it' it means that the app has the ability to use those other apps on your phone.

All access does is allow you to use different apps together, for example, the photos is so you can upload to the apps Photo Booth, and download the wallpapers, it uses the calendar so it can automatically input specific events into your phone, cal details is just the broad headline for the access to the ringtones, and the contacts is probably for a futures feature such as having your mates connected through the app.

Theyre not after your information, people tend to freak out when they see the word access, but you really don't need too.

I think you underestimate what they can do with all that info.

Why do they want all of my call information?

[Drunkn167 5,093]

I'm not gonna argue with you mate if your not going to listen to reason.

By all means keep being paranoid and don't use the new app.

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

They have a privacy policy outlining everything they can do with your data. If you're that concerned you can read it. Most of the time every app request access to everything because it takes away the issue later if they decide to add features.

• Calendar is literally just so they can sync the fixture to the phone's calendar so that’s pretty obvious. As of yet they haven’t sent a representative to any of my events.
• With the Location you can turn off the gps on you deceive (they can't turn it on remotely) meaning they will only be able to tell what cell tower you phone is connected to if you’re worried they are going to have you followed.
• Note about the camera and photos etc that just allows them to access them if they choose to add some kind of photo sharing or social media integration.
• Phone I think means they can make calls from the app  as well and allows for optimisation when a call comes through (programmy stuff which means they can sense a call and prevent the app from crashing, a common in older applications before this practice became regular)
• Device and app history is really useful in debugging any issues. If the app crashes it will send a report to them so they can work to fix it. I can assure you this is very much needed! You try solving a problem if the only information you have is "It crashed"
• And contacts means the can add themselves directly from the app. again just conveniences.

You don’t have to use the app the mobile site will do the job as well. Fun fact: The app (along with the AFL one) is made by Hawkeye. They have a enquires button in the link below if you want to contact and ask about it
http://www.hawkeyeinnovations.co.uk/sports/afl

 

Edited February 2, 2017 by ArtificialWisdom
Oh my god so much bad english

[hardtack 10,548]

48 minutes ago, ManDee said:

The new Melbourne Football Club app requires access to Device & app history, Identity, Calendar, Contacts, Location, Photos/Media files,Camera, WiFi connection info, Device ID & call information. Why? Surely there is no need for the bolded items, in fact do they need any of the info?

I have contacted the club, they said you don't have to accept, but if you don't you have no access! Not good enough.

Usually camera/photo access is so that you can upload images, Calendar access is so that important events can be added to your calendar for reminders etc. For the rest of it, call them again and ask them why they want the info and what they are going to use it for. 
EDIT: What Artificial Wisdom said above in far more succinct terms.

I too think you are being a little over cautious... my only gripe with it has been the fact that they are still showing an outdated list of current players (something I would have thought should have been fixed for the new release).

Edited February 2, 2017 by hardtack

[ManDee 7,159]

5 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

They have a privacy policy outlining everything they can do with your data. If you're that conserned you can read it. Most of the time every app request access to everything because it takes away the issue later if they decide to add features.

• Calender is literaly just so they can sync the fixture to the phone's calendar so thats pretty obvious. As of yet they havent sent a representative to any of my events.
• With the Location you can turn off the gps on you decive (they can't turn it on remotely) meaning they will only be able to tell what cell tower you phone is contected to if your worried they are going to have you followed.
• Note about the camera and photos etc that just allows them to access them if they choose to add some kind of photo sharing or social media integreation.
• Phone I think means they can make calls from the app  as well and allows for optimisation when a call comes through (programmy stuff which means they can sense a call and prevent the app from crashing, a common in older applications before this practice became regular)
• Device and app history is realy usefull in debugging any issues. If the app crashes it will send a report to them so they can work to fix it. I can assure you this is very much needed! You try solving a problem if the only information you have is "It crashed"
• And contacts means the can add themselves directly from the app. again just convinences.

You dont have to use the app the mobile site will do the job as well. Fun fact: The app (along with the AFL one) is made by Hawkeye. They have a enquires button in the link below if you want to contact and ask about it
http://www.hawkeyeinnovations.co.uk/sports/afl

Thanks AW, that does go some way to explain some of the points but why do they need all my call information? We seem to blindly give permission to unknown organisations then wonder why we later get hacked. I have private (semi) info on my phone.

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

Just now, ManDee said:

Thanks AW, that does go some way to explain some of the points but why do they need all my call information? We seem to blindly give permission to unknown organisations then wonder why we later get hacked. I have private (semi) info on my phone.

Important to make clear that they will only be able to see who you are calling not listen (im not sure if thats what you thought but i just want it clear). But I do have to admit I'm not so sure why they need that particularly. Andriod devices just give access to the "phone" part of the device with no real options either way. But my best guess would be so that Telstra can send you advertisements tallored to your call patterns. eg. If you make allot of international calls then expect emails with plans with cheap international calls. 

I understand your consern but organisations want more customers so are unlikely to risk selling the data they just use it to their advantage in marketing. the best way to protect youself is just be aware of what goes on with hacks and stuff in the media.

If your interested in your information's safety a slightly unrelated link try this: https://haveibeenpwned.com/  You enter your email and it checks if that address has been involved in any database hacks. Super usefull for password management especially. It informed me that my username and password were compromised once and as such i changed that password on that site and anywhere else i used it.

[Diamond_Jim 12,592]

Thanks AW

I used that site and found out that along with 152 million others I was part of the great Adobe hack of 2013

The world of password management is getting so complex......... I think the average Joe probably has 100 at least these days

thanks again

On the Melbourne App... I will wait until I hear from others about how intrusive it is. I downloaded the app for the recent Australian Open tennis and removed it after one day. I was not really interested in the constant updates. I only wanted it to check the scores in matches I was interested in and for checking the order of play. Have downloaded the app for Wimbledon in past years and didn't get all the junk messages.

I subscribe like others to the MFC email and I am generally happy with the frequency of communication... seems to be about 2-3 a week

[CBDees 3,167]

I've got the old App. which has replaced itself with this new one. It appears different superficially however when I look up the player lists it still has Dunn, Matt Jones, Terlich and Lubumba. Nowhere near good enough!

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

31 minutes ago, CBDees said:

I've got the old App. which has replaced itself with this new one. It appears different superficially however when I look up the player lists it still has Dunn, Matt Jones, Terlich and Lubumba. Nowhere near good enough!

Yeah its still set to the 2016 season its like that every year, im not sure why they wait that long but it usually changes around the start of the preseason games. 

[Chook 15,013]

When Pokémon GO came out, it requested access to basically everything. People (rightly) kicked up a fuss about it and an update to the Program was issued to reduce how much access was granted. If you are concerned about your privacy, don't yield to people telling you it's "normal". Complain, and you'll often be able to reduce what information they are able to collect on you.

[CBDees 3,167]

2 hours ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Yeah its still set to the 2016 season its like that every year, im not sure why they wait that long but it usually changes around the start of the preseason   games. 

The season's games start in three days time when the lassies take on the Brisbane sheilas. They better get their running shoes on!

[ManDee 7,159]

I have had three emails from the club to date about this app, the most recent from Katie Duncan Membership Officer, she claims that they do not ask for the permissions I mentioned. I have copied them and sent it back. Not good enough MFC. They do not need my call details.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

15 hours ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Important to make clear that they will only be able to see who you are calling not listen (im not sure if thats what you thought but i just want it clear). But I do have to admit I'm not so sure why they need that particularly. Andriod devices just give access to the "phone" part of the device with no real options either way. But my best guess would be so that Telstra can send you advertisements tallored to your call patterns. eg. If you make allot of international calls then expect emails with plans with cheap international calls. 

I understand your consern but organisations want more customers so are unlikely to risk selling the data they just use it to their advantage in marketing. the best way to protect youself is just be aware of what goes on with hacks and stuff in the media.

If your interested in your information's safety a slightly unrelated link try this: https://haveibeenpwned.com/  You enter your email and it checks if that address has been involved in any database hacks. Super usefull for password management especially. It informed me that my username and password were compromised once and as such i changed that password on that site and anywhere else i used it.

I believe that they need the phone part for the live pass.  I am on the optus network but logged in with my bigpond account and used to be able to run AFL Live, now you must have a testra phone number attached to your account, doesn't work just using any telstra number, I tried putting in one of my work ones that are not being used, did not work.

 

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

24 minutes ago, AzzKikA said:

I believe that they need the phone part for the live pass.  I am on the optus network but logged in with my bigpond account and used to be able to run AFL Live, now you must have a testra phone number attached to your account, doesn't work just using any telstra number, I tried putting in one of my work ones that are not being used, did not work.

 

Possibly idk I had a look at the detailed descriptions of the apps permitions in the settings and it says the following:

Quote

Allows the app to access the phone features on the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active and the remote number conneced by a call

Edit: This indicates to me that the way android hands out permissions to the "phone" part of the device is an all or nothing type deal. you either have access to it all or you get none of it.

For Samsung users who want to look at this or any other of the permisions an app has its quite a journey to get there:

Settings > Applications > Application Manager > Demons (or any app you want) > App Permissions > More > All permissions

The above should be the same (or super similar) for any android device but i dont have another on me to confirm. Sorry apple users I cant help at all with that. It will be there somewhere if you're willing to take the time.
 

Edited February 2, 2017 by ArtificialWisdom
added another comment

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

28 minutes ago, ManDee said:

I have had three emails from the club to date about this app, the most recent from Katie Duncan Membership Officer, she claims that they do not ask for the permissions I mentioned. I have copied them and sent it back. Not good enough MFC. They do not need my call details.

Technically the club doesnt, Telstra does. Highly likely the club wont ever see any of that information. Hopefully they have the connections to pass on your consern but other than that there isnt much they can do.

[AzzKikA 2,371]

6 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Allows the app to access the phone features on the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active and the remote number connected by a call

This explains what I was saying, by determining the phone number, it can decipher if it is on the telstra network or not.