[Asus Transformer TF700] jtrosky:
Again, just because someone posts something on the internet, doesn't mean that it is a) true, b) is current information or c) that said data is being used to "spy" on someone. I just think "spy" is an awful strong term to use. Do some of these browsers "collect personal data"? I'm sure they do, but I personally think that they do it for reasons other than "spying" on people or for any reason other than trying to make the browsing experience more useful to the user. Besides, how do we know some of these posts are being fabricated by the authors of competing browsers? Unless you've personally watched what these browsers are doing, then how do you know the information is even accurate? I certainly haven't seen enough proof to call these apps "spyware".

I mean if we're not going to use apps that collect personal information, then we shouldn't be using Android at all - you don't think that Google collects personal information? I just don't believe that the authors of Boat or Dolphin "are out to get" anyone by "spying" on them - they are just trying to make the experience better for the end user, in my opinion.

I personally don't use Dolphin, but I haven't seen any real proof that Boat is "spying" on me. Until I see actual proof that Boat browsing is collecting personal information with the purpose of spying on me, then it's all speculation at this point. A post on the internet is not proof - we have no idea how accurate that information is. I'd be glad to install a packet sniffer and confront the author of either app if they really are "spying" on me (I may just do that anyway, just to see exactly what's going on myself).

This really isn't off-topic since the OP is specifically asking about browsers. I'm all for constructive conversation! Who knows, in the end, I may be proved completely wrong on the subject (it wouldn't be the first time!!)! :) Personally, I'd like to get to the bottom of these accusations once and for all.

To be honest, in my specific case, I really don't care if someone is keeping track of the sites I visit - if they are really that interested in what I'm doing, more power to them! But, I can understand why some may be concerned about this stuff (depending on what they do, etc).

Ok, privacy guru's - fire away! I'm hiding under a steel bunker waiting for the attack! :)

EDIT: by the way, when I originally asked the Boat author about all of the privacy concerns (granted, without any specific proof), here was his reply:

-----------------------

Hi,

The Boat Browser won't collect any private information about the users.

The data we collected including:

1."Release update" ---The user could change the check frequency in the settings. When the user open browser, we need to know if there is a new release available. We hope use could always get the latest stable release it they want.

2."Basic Statistics" We will collect the number of total installs by country, and the times of launch.

3."Force close log" When force close happens, we may need the log to know what's wrong with the Browser. But, please note that the log is all about the code, nothing with the users' information, for example:

java.lang.NullPointerException at com.boatbrowser.free.view.TitleBar.m(TitleBar.java:418) at com.boatbrowser.free.a.x(BaseUi.java:604) at com.boatbrowser.free.view.MyOverlayView.b(MyOverlayView.java:100) at com.boatbrowser.free.a.e(BaseUi.java:584) at com.boatbrowser.free.a.y(BaseUi.java:614) at com.boatbrowser.free.b.handleMessage(BaseUi.java:651) at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:99) at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:130) at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:3691) at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method) at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:507) at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:912) at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:670)

Thank you very much.

-----------------------------

I realize that the author wouldn't come out and say "Yeah, we spy on you!", but just some information to add to the discussion....