topic Re: Credit card apps on phone in SmorgasBoard

Credit card apps on phone

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 10:14:22 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I am sure this is a dumb question but I got a new phone and had to set it up. Usually my nephew does this for me (he LOVES doing it) but today I did it myself. I would like to know why all the apps need access to "Make phone calls, need access to media storage, Need access to contacts and about 50 other things? I noticed it with the 1st one (Chase) and at first denied access. I was then informed that I would not be able to use the application if I denied them access. WHY DO THEY NEED IT? I do not really understand the point. Why do they need to know my contacts? Why do they need acces to my photos? My having a credit card with them does not have anything to do with MOST of what they make you agree to.

I am sorry if this sounds mean but I am frustrated. With all of the identity theft going around why do we give access to this (in my opinion) unneeded information?

I really would like to know.

Thanks!

Re: Credit card apps on phone

pinkandgrey — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 13:18:57 GMT

I probably wouldn’t be too afraid to allow access with apps like that. However, I will say that I’ve never had a phone app ask for some of those permissions. I’ve had Disco, Cap One, Chase, Citi, BBVA, Barclays, and more, and none of them ever asked for permission to make phone calls or access photos. Maybe I just got under the radar?

Re: Credit card apps on phone

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 13:26:25 GMT

Thanks for the reply. I had never seen that either and neither had my nephew.

Re: Credit card apps on phone

Remedios — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 15:22:12 GMT

Whatever you're seeing is generic thing that shows up on Android when asking for permissions

Not everything listed is applicable but I'll give you one example

If you want to view the statement, Chase app will download it to your phone as pdf file. If it does not have access to "media/storage, it cannot do that.

If you try downloading a calendar app, you will still get the same warning from OS.

Re: Credit card apps on phone

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 16:03:18 GMT

I recently downloaded the Chase app for iOS and didn’t receive those disclosures. So it would make sense that it’s more of a generic Android thing than anything specific to the app.

Re: Credit card apps on phone

Schwartzinator — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 17:36:52 GMT

Convienience in the digital age almost always comes with infringements on your percieved privacy.
 
Photo permissions are for access to the eDeposit service. Allowing phone calls is likely so you can direct dial their support line from within the application. Contact access is for sending payments to friends or family. As someone else pointed out, storage permissions are for just that. The 46 other permissions are quite likely to be non-nefarious aswell.

Re: Credit card apps on phone

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 23:08:53 GMT

Tahnks for all the replies everyone. It makes me feel better knowing it is just a general request.

Re: Credit card apps on phone

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 06:00:35 GMT

You're able to manage the permissions from the app portion of settings and depending on version of Android, can see the reason it needs that permission. A lot of them are badly worded. Remedios gave some good examples. Things like allow phone calls isn't to actually allow phone calls. It allows the app to see the status of your phone, whether or not you're on it, or have an incoming call. It'll keep the app from timing out if you take a call. A lot of the permissions are like that. They have innocent, legitimate reasons for that access. Another one is access to camera. It allows you to upload photos of a check for mobile deposit. They don't want to take random photos without your consent. Only apple and Samsung do that. 😮

Re: Credit card apps on phone

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 14:44:02 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
You're able to manage the permissions from the app portion of settings and depending on version of Android, can see the reason it needs that permission. A lot of them are badly worded. Remedios gave some good examples. Things like allow phone calls isn't to actually allow phone calls. It allows the app to see the status of your phone, whether or not you're on it, or have an incoming call. It'll keep the app from timing out if you take a call. A lot of the permissions are like that. They have innocent, legitimate reasons for that access. Another one is access to camera. It allows you to upload photos of a check for mobile deposit. They don't want to take random photos without your consent. Only apple and Samsung do that. 😮

Thanks for the explanation. I feel better now.

Re: Credit card apps on phone

aesl1982 — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 14:51:54 GMT

except he uses Andriod and most the time that is samsung