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If you are referring to public application on APP stores, you wanna place your bet on the negative reviews and the permissions the app is asking for. Any public repository of corporate information is not something you want to jump on right off. Testing such apps on test servers will help you learn more, when you conduct testing in a closed and monitored environment.In short, every app has at least some signs of its POC and its Purposefulness for you. You will need to decide on whatever indications you can gather by reading its Terms, Permissions, Its reviews and your test reports. At least it will be a safe start and then you can invest more to a level of your satisfaction.
Hi There,
My answer towards your question is Yes and No both, that depends what application you are using.
Not all apps work on all mobile devices. Once you buy a device, you’re committed to using the operating system and the type of apps that go with it. The Android, Apple, Microsoft and BlackBerry mobile operating systems have app stores online where you can look for, download, and install apps. Some online retailers also offer app stores. You’ll have to use an app store that works with your device’s operating system. To set up an account, you may have to provide a credit card number, especially if you’re going to download an app that isn’t free.
Some apps are distributed for free through app stores; the developers make money in a few ways:•Some sell advertising space within the app. The app developers can earn money from the ads, so they distribute the app for free to reach as many users as possible.•Some apps offer their basic versions for free. Their developers hope you’ll like the app enough to upgrade to a paid version with more features.•Some apps allow you to buy more features within the app itself. Usually, you are billed for these in-app purchases through the app store. Many devices have settings that allow you to block in-app purchases.•Some apps are offered free to interest you in a company’s other products. These apps are a form of advertising.
When you sign up with an app store or download individual apps, you may be asked for permission to let them access information on your device. Some apps may be able to access:•your phone and email contacts•call logs•internet data•calendar data•data about the device’s location•the device’s unique IDs•information about how you use the app itself
Some apps access only the data they need to function; others access data that’s not related to the purpose of the app.
If you’re providing information when you’re using the device, someone may be collecting it – whether it’s the app developer, the app store, an advertiser, or an ad network. And if they’re collecting your data, they may share it with other companies.
It’s not always easy to know what data a specific app will access, or how it will be used. Before you download an app, consider what you know about who created it and what it does. The app stores may include information about the company that developed the app, if the developer provides it. If the developer doesn’t provide contact information – like a website or an email address – the app may be less than trustworthy.
If you’re using an Android operating system, you will have an opportunity to read the “permissions” just before you install an app. Read them. It’s useful information that tells you what information the app will access on your device. Ask yourself whether the permissions make sense given the purpose of the app; for example, there’s no reason for an e-book or “wallpaper” app to read your text messages.
Some apps use specific location data to give you maps, coupons for nearby stores, or information about who you might know nearby. Some provide location data to ad networks, which may combine it with other information in their databases to target ads based on your interests and your location.
Once an app has your permission to access your location data, it can do so until you change the settings on your phone. If you don’t want to share your location with advertising networks, you can turn off location services in your phone’s settings. But if you do that, apps won’t be able to give you information based on your location unless you enter it yourself.
Your phone uses general data about its location so your phone carrier can efficiently route calls. Even if you turn off location services in your phone’s settings, it may not be possible to completely stop it from broadcasting your location data.
