[Android Apps and Games] taomorpheus:
Fast permissions vs Official app

No problem! I will start with the app permissions.

Android app permissions

Fast:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />

This is the main permission just to access to internet.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />

This is a permission to get your gps position. It's triggered only when you do a checking, I never check the position or have any analytic about where you are.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.VIBRATE"/>

For the vibration of the chat

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />

I use it to check if your phone is connected or not

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

This is used only to store the images and for data caching to save bandwidth.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />

This one is triggered only when you open the camera view and take a photo.

Facebook app:

This app has access to these permissions:

Your accounts

find accounts on the device

create accounts and set passwords

add or remove accounts

Your location

precise location (GPS and network-based)

approximate location (network-based)

Your messages

read your text messages (SMS or MMS)

Network communication

view network connections

receive data from Internet

full network access

change network connectivity

download files without notification

view Wi-Fi connections

connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi

Your personal information

read calendar events plus confidential information

add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owners' knowledge

read your own contact card

Phone calls

directly call phone numbers

read phone status and identity

Storage

modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

System tools

install shortcuts

test access to protected storage

send sticky broadcast

read battery statistics

Your applications information

run at startup

retrieve running apps

reorder running apps

Camera

take pictures and videos

Other Application UI

draw over other apps

Microphone

record audio

Your social information

write call log

read your contacts

modify your contacts

read call log

Affects battery

prevent device from sleeping

control vibration

Audio settings

change your audio settings

Status bar

expand/collapse status bar

Sync Settings

toggle sync on and off

read sync settings

Wallpaper

set wallpaper

adjust your wallpaper size

Crazy. Just crazy.

Facebook permissions.

Fast:

Fast asks for a lot of permissions because there is no way to access to your data or write a new object without them. The good thing is that the app does what you want to do and there is no background process that spies or catch your information. There is no analytic or hidden services. At the first installation the app asks if you want to post a status with information about Fast, but you can choose if you want this or not.

This is the list of permissions that Fast can ask you (all are optional, if you need a feature you accept, otherwise you can decide to decline):

So, if you need a client that is triggered only by your actions, Fast it's your choice. The app doesn't have any control on your sms, contacts, phone data and status. It's not connected to any spying web services and there are no logs or personal information that are sent to me. I have no idea who is using Fast, what the user is doing. I just have Facebook data about active monthly user, geographical stats (only countries percentage), language and stats about how many api calls are made + api errors.

Facebook App:

The thing with official app is that you can't decide what permissions you can give to it, because it's official and it can do everything. If you loose your phone and you don't have the proper security level, everyone can do everything on your FB account with the Fb app.

Moreover, you don't know what kind of analytic, hidden services and hidden processes are on the app. You have to give so many android permissions that you literally give the app a full control of your phone.

I know that I am no one, and it's hard to trust, but Fast is here from almost 2 years and people trust my app. You can check the ratings and all the discussion here, I am always open to change the app, follow feedback and fix everything. My motto is to be transparent and always open to accept critics and new ideas.

If someone needs more info, feel free to write here!!