Develop Bugs

Question on XDA Policies regarding Warez/Cracked Apps

I understand that they don't allow them in ROM's and to be discussed on XDA. My question is in regards to moderators deleting threads but seem to have no issue with people asking about free Wifi tethering.
Technically you're supposed to pay Sprint for that feature but a lot of ROM's include the Wifi Tether app for free. I just don't understand how some things are swept under a rug and other things are accepted.

Who knows what the answer to this is brother. But it for Damn sure seems like you are still stuck on The Ultimate Droid thread being deleted. I read that whole thread and you were basically flaming on XDA for making people adhere to the rules. Take the Ultimate Droid rants elsewhere because we all know when you talk about closing a thread in this post its in regard to that Rom thread being closed. And I would say if people were trying to profit off of posting tethering stuff like the dev of the ultimate Droid was then that would be morally and legally wrong. Stop crying.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I'm just looking for an answer to a question. You didn't even remotely touch on the topic at hand. I just want to know what people think about being able to tether for free and how many ROM's on this website have it included. If you visited this website as much as I do you'd understand why I'm bringing this up.

Actually, I do on a daily basis hence the xda app on my phone . And I did touch on it, no one is trying to profit off of tether, its kind of the same as downloading music.. the people who get sued and stuff by the riaa are those who try to profit from the music they didn't buy. Either way its not morally one hundred percent okay but its not like were killing anyone.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

The wifi tether app is free, so it can be included. Swype ask xda to remove it, even though it was free, so it had to be removed. Fancy widget was removed because it was a direct ripoff of a HTC program. Someones pay wallpaper was removed because it is warez. If sprint decided to go after the author of wifi tether, I'm sure XDA would force its removal.

bwcorvus said:
The wifi tether app is free, so it can be included. Swype ask xda to remove it, even though it was free, so it had to be removed. Fancy widget was removed because it was a direct ripoff of a HTC program. Someones pay wallpaper was removed because it is warez. If sprint decided to go after the author of wifi tether, I'm sure XDA would force its removal.
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Agreed, you know Sprint has employees who check xda for legal stuff. I'm sure if they had a problem with this they would have done something by now. Especially as many updates as we have had by now Sprint could block tether apps besides their own if they really cared. Just as they patch root exploits.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

gqstatus0685 said:
I understand that they don't allow them in ROM's and to be discussed on XDA. My question is in regards to moderators deleting threads but seem to have no issue with people asking about free Wifi tethering.
Technically you're supposed to pay Sprint for that feature but a lot of ROM's include the Wifi Tether app for free. I just don't understand how some things are swept under a rug and other things are accepted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, I think the main aim of the moderators/site owners is to maintain the popularity and relevance of this site. I am sure Sprint is aware of the Wifi Tether App in all the ROMS given the numerous sprint employees that post here regularly. If it bothered Sprint the site would hear about it and probably make a decision at that point. I doubt Sprint cares given the free publicity their devices get here.
Now if the WiFi tether app itself was being sold for profit and was included for free(warez) then I am sure the developers would mind which several of them probably have when their apps were included in ROMS.
You seem to expect the moderators to spend their time analyzing every single thread and deliver some kind of justice. That is not going to happen, their aim is to keep the site trouble-free, popular and relevant. Even if it means to err on the side of caution and sideline one/two developers who have been known to create issues.
If I felt as strongly as you do about the issue I would put my money where my mouth is and delete my account on this site and join somewhere I felt more comfortable. Would save me a lot of aggravation.
Cheers !

plus wireless tether has been around a little long than sprints evo hotspot has it may not have been for this device but it was around

Yellowcard8992 said:
Who knows what the answer to this is brother. But it for Damn sure seems like you are still stuck on The Ultimate Droid thread being deleted. I read that whole thread and you were basically flaming on XDA for making people adhere to the rules. Take the Ultimate Droid rants elsewhere because we all know when you talk about closing a thread in this post its in regard to that Rom thread being closed. And I would say if people were trying to profit off of posting tethering stuff like the dev of the ultimate Droid was then that would be morally and legally wrong. Stop crying.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Yeah, Yellowcard this is the same guy on the other thread. I also was following that thread and I don't think it was cool that he was flaming on xda.

Why can't we all, just get along!?

Arm0 said:
Why can't we all, just get along!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your signature...is absolutely epic.

Is this a joke.. You guys are actually trying to explain the differences ?? OMG!!!
THERE IS NONE!!
ONE LIES AND THE OTHER SWEARS TO IT!!!
The OP is right... It makes NO sense what so ever and there is no possible way you could argue that.

Lets see if I can make it easier to understand. If I kill someone, I go to jail...this is warez, its illegal no matter how you slice it. Now if I beat my wife (i do not, and do not support it, just an example) and she refuses to press charges, I do not go to jail...this is wifi tether, its only illegal if someone cares. Hope this had made it easier to understand.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

gqstatus0685 said:
I understand that they don't allow them in ROM's and to be discussed on XDA. My question is in regards to moderators deleting threads but seem to have no issue with people asking about free Wifi tethering.
Technically you're supposed to pay Sprint for that feature but a lot of ROM's include the Wifi Tether app for free. I just don't understand how some things are swept under a rug and other things are accepted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
The sprint hotspot free ove a 30 a month charge from sprint?
How big is that compared to a one dollar or two app???
Clueless...

Pretty much that's what it is. The only difference is that one person "steals" and people don't get their props/recognition. I guess it's OK to steal and get out of paying for a feature while racking up bandwidth. People say I'm complaining about this and that but when it comes down to it they look stupid because they are also doing shady **** too.

My 2 cents for what its worth.
WiFi tethering is a functionality built into froyo. In order to get it working, the feature is either hacked to remove Sprint authentication, or you can download another app that allows the same functionality. You'll also note that "sprint WiFi tethering" is not available as a standalone app from the market - again, its already built into the software of the phone. This is no different than the hack that allowed wireless n for WiFi, before it was available, or to set your phone to pick up Verizon towers for better coverage. The phone already supported that functionality, it just took some hacks to get it working.
The other items mentioned as warez are not inherently built into the phones. Devs (most of them ordinary guys like us), have an idea for a great app, work on them for days/weeks/months and may decide to release them for a fee when complete. Xda is a developers forum, with stress on developers. It only stands to reason that they would take a hard line when people give away those paid apps for free.
And to the op, if you were really interested in getting answers to your questions, you could have easily sent a pm to a mod. By starting this thread, you obviously just wanted to stir the pot some more. It's been said before, there are other sites that don't care about the all the work devs put into their apps, where you can get all the free apps you want without paying for them. Xda is simply not that kind of forum.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah

Personally I realize that I am a guest. So not to be imposing I limit my pov.
You are not alone in your POV.
Google > Dear XDA: please do not allow
http://tinyurl.com/237lx5d

gqstatus0685 said:
I understand that they don't allow them in ROM's and to be discussed on XDA. My question is in regards to moderators deleting threads but seem to have no issue with people asking about free Wifi tethering.
Technically you're supposed to pay Sprint for that feature but a lot of ROM's include the Wifi Tether app for free. I just don't understand how some things are swept under a rug and other things are accepted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
technically the wifi tether is built into android naturally, carriers lock that down to add on a cost to unlimited data that your already paying for
This is an issue, do to if Im already paying for unlimited data, what clarifies it to what kind of data it has to be. Is the internet not the internet, these kind of add-on fees are what telco's your trying to push on to wire lines ( unsuccessful so far, i for get the name of the bill). Bt the mobile is a very grey area right now, this is also why ATT for one has a tiered system now

gqstatus0685 said:
I'm just looking for an answer to a question. You didn't even remotely touch on the topic at hand. I just want to know what people think about being able to tether for free and how many ROM's on this website have it included. If you visited this website as much as I do you'd understand why I'm bringing this up.
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You can tether for free???

Someone needs to define software and hardware to the OP, because if we use his definitions, roms and rooting methods are also warez.

Wtf?

Alright guys not trying to start another "I heard" thread but I read some upsetting news today.....it seems the community is going to begin to dwindle.....maybe not for us specifically but more for some of the newer phone models... I took some interest in the Droid bionic today and so I decided to go look at the thread for it.....under the general topic there was a discussion about Verizon beginning to crack down on root users. This is due mainly to the theft of services (WiFi tether). This crack down will mean Verizon completely locking down the bootloader and making phones unrootable. Theyre even going as far as to back this up with network locks. If your new device isn't verified on there network with an unrooted Rom, they will potentially lock down your service so you can't use your phone for anything essentially. Now as of right now it appears that they are focused mainly on new devices and they aren't so worried with us. I can completely understand why they would want to stop the theft of this service but at the same time this news comes as a bummer. How long will it be until Verizon locks down root altogether? And this isn't even just Verizon but rather a joint venture across multiple carriers. I don't know how to link but go look it up if youre interested guys. It's under Droid bionic general. I don't know how to take this information....but anyways let's get some input rolling here. What do you guys think about this? And better yet anyone think its gonna affect our devices at some point?
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App

Hey man, I can honestly say that I think this is complete bull! Haha. Why would they take away the boot loader?? Thats aa main trouble shoot tool in its self, and if this does happen. I highly doubt that it would stop root. We would be able to get past it.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

Read the thread....even if they do get around it there will be back ups that will kill service to any rooted device. Idk if this is true but its interesting
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App

We have wayy too many smart devs to let this happen. I'm not worried

This is a rumor from ONE source. People have been getting all upset over this but until anything actually happens, it's just that. A rumor.
Besides, if Verizon is worried about people tethering for free, it would make more sense to charge for data on a tiered level like they're probably going to start doing anyway.

Wild rumors and speculation based on forum posts, which link back to other forum posts, which link to other forums.... which eventually circle back to one guy who doesn't provide any back-up for his claims.
The original panic started here:
http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...otloaders-rooting-manufacturers-carriers.html
Can we please restore some sanity to the community? Will people please stop panicking based on a bunch of "I heard..." and vague references to unnamed, unconfirmed sources?
Am I saying that this is impossible? No. But as intelligent adults, should we not demand a higher burden of proof than vague references to "multiple channels"? If there really are multiple channels that can confirm this vast conspiracy, why hasn't it broken as a reputable news story anywhere? One dude cracked the case, but no one else can corroborate it or cite anything?
This is claimed to be an effort to crack down on unauthorized tethering. If that is the goal, what seems more likely?
1. The claim that "Multiple carriers were working collaboratively on a program that would be able to identify rooted users and create a database of their meids."
or
2. Phone companies will just start phasing out unlimited data in favor of tiered plans
Given that we're already seeing #2 happen on some carriers, I'll put my money on that.
Of course, people love David and Goliath stories, so I doubt these rumors will ever die, just like the Placebo Throttle Remover will never die.
Yea, maybe all the phone companies have gotten together and are developing super secret methods of tracking us down. And maybe the Reverse Vampires are involved. And the Masons.
The original panic rumor claims that these things are already happening. For example:
"More than one major carrier besides Verizon has implemented this program and that all carriers involved had begun tracking rooted phones. All carriers involved were more than pleased with the accuracy of the program."
Sooooooo..... if it's already happening, there should be some evidence, right?
P.S. - I have heard from multiple sources that XDA is going to start tracking members by injecting code into any attachment that is placed on this forum. I've confirmed it through multiple channels. No, I can't be any more specific than that: I hope you understand. After all, this is top secret information... I can't just go tossing it around. It's a vast conspiracy, but they've managed to keep it completely bottled up.
Don't believe me!?!? Well, just wait until it happens to youuuuuuuu!!!!! (Scary music)

byrong, thank you!

byrong said:
Wild rumors and speculation based on forum posts, which link back to other forum posts, which link to other forums.... which eventually circle back to one guy who doesn't provide any back-up for his claims.
The original panic started here:
http://www.mydroidworld.com/forums/...otloaders-rooting-manufacturers-carriers.html
Can we please restore some sanity to the community? Will people please stop panicking based on a bunch of "I heard..." and vague references to unnamed, unconfirmed sources?
Am I saying that this is impossible? No. But as intelligent adults, should we not demand a higher burden of proof than vague references to "multiple channels"? If there really are multiple channels that can confirm this vast conspiracy, why hasn't it broken as a reputable news story anywhere? One dude cracked the case, but no one else can corroborate it or cite anything?
This is claimed to be an effort to crack down on unauthorized tethering. If that is the goal, what seems more likely?
1. The claim that "Multiple carriers were working collaboratively on a program that would be able to identify rooted users and create a database of their meids."
or
2. Phone companies will just start phasing out unlimited data in favor of tiered plans
Given that we're already seeing #2 happen on some carriers, I'll put my money on that.
Of course, people love David and Goliath stories, so I doubt these rumors will ever die, just like the Placebo Throttle Remover will never die.
Yea, maybe all the phone companies have gotten together and are developing super secret methods of tracking us down. And maybe the Reverse Vampires are involved. And the Masons.
The original panic rumor claims that these things are already happening. For example:
"More than one major carrier besides Verizon has implemented this program and that all carriers involved had begun tracking rooted phones. All carriers involved were more than pleased with the accuracy of the program."
Sooooooo..... if it's already happening, there should be some evidence, right?
P.S. - I have heard from multiple sources that XDA is going to start tracking members by injecting code into any attachment that is placed on this forum. I've confirmed it through multiple channels. No, I can't be any more specific than that: I hope you understand. After all, this is top secret information... I can't just go tossing it around. It's a vast conspiracy, but they've managed to keep it completely bottled up.
Don't believe me!?!? Well, just wait until it happens to youuuuuuuu!!!!! (Scary music)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn dude.....just trying to put some discussion into this topic. Ouch. I understand and preface this with not trying to start another I heard thread.....I wasn't trying to instill panic in anyone. No need to write up an essay and a half of flame. Simply giving some discussion topic.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App

elixir911911 said:
Damn dude.....just trying to put some discussion into this topic. Ouch. I understand and preface this with not trying to start another I heard thread.....I wasn't trying to instill panic in anyone. No need to write up an essay and a half of flame. Simply giving some discussion topic.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I believe a thread about this was discussed a few weeks ago and closed. I dont believe it will happen snyways
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App

donnyp1 said:
I believe a thread about this was discussed a few weeks ago and closed. I dont believe it will happen snyways
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I don't necesarilly believe it will happen but is it plausible? yes....You can't deny that major carriers and development teams have more knowledge, experience, and capability then ANY developer on xda. Look at the past. Apple actually brought out a lawsuit trying to keep people from jailbreaking devices. So while we may all sit around and laugh at the idea and while it is just a bunch of hear say at this point, it is definitely plausible. And i do agree that it may just be easier to do tiered data plans, but then that kind of screws over verizon's customers who actually pay for tether. So you can kind of understand why they wouldn't want to continue to move on that route. Both options are viable and neither of them appears to be any sort of threat right now. As stated above, right now it's just a bunch of threads linking back to other threads linking back to other threads. And I don't know how much there is to believe about it but none the less it definitely could happen.... But hopefully nothing will happen....I mean come on manufacturers hardly keep their devices up to date...2.3 has already been dropped on how many devices and we're still waiting for it. People are on to sense 3.0 and we still have 1.0 on our stock rom. If they decide to kill the independent dev community then they better start dropping crazy updates with extremely customizable roms. It just seems like too much work that would ultimately end in manufacturers and providers losing money. Sooo ya. probs not gonna happen

If people didnt abuse tether, it wouldnt be an issue. So much free wifi, i cant think of last time i tethered. I also actually pay for internet at hone, yet i know several who tether for home internet.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App

Verizon would be foolish to do this. People are attracted to their service due to the freedom of android...

elixir911911 said:
Damn dude.....just trying to put some discussion into this topic. Ouch. I understand and preface this with not trying to start another I heard thread.....I wasn't trying to instill panic in anyone. No need to write up an essay and a half of flame. Simply giving some discussion topic.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a flame, it's just the truth... There really is not a whole lot to be concerned about. It's out of our control so whatever happens happens, we'll have to deal with it when it shows up, IF it shows up. But why be so concerned about it?
Having said that, as far as rooting goes, they SHOULD embrace developers and allow us to use our roms and stuff legally... but I think that there is stuff set in writing and signatures that are still in effect for the time being. I see them never allowing us to root, but compromising by letting us set our own defaults and not having to use their proprietary carrier BS eventually. Whatever we make our phones into (right now) creates a market, and where there's a market there's money. We'll either have the perfect phone or the option to make the perfect phone, just like we can buy the perfect PC or make the perfect PC. Well, at least as far as software goes.
I personally believe we'll ultimately get what we want to the point where rooting is useless as far as ordinary everyday users go. But right now we don't know what this whole smartphone craze is or what its gonna be when it finally plateaus, and neither do the manufacturers & carriers so they can't exactly crack whips on our backs for doing all of this yet.
Besides, the hackers that make these roms make the phones better. They turn us into brand and carrier loyalists. The Optimus, Galaxy S, Xperia, HTC & Droids all have followings for different reasons, and the developers are the most rabid and loyal of them all. They might not NEED us, but we're still pretty freaking important.

elixir911911 said:
Alright guys not trying to start another "I heard" thread but I read some upsetting news today.....it seems the community is going to begin to dwindle.....maybe not for us specifically but more for some of the newer phone models... I took some interest in the Droid bionic today and so I decided to go look at the thread for it.....under the general topic there was a discussion about Verizon beginning to crack down on root users. This is due mainly to the theft of services (WiFi tether). This crack down will mean Verizon completely locking down the bootloader and making phones unrootable. Theyre even going as far as to back this up with network locks. If your new device isn't verified on there network with an unrooted Rom, they will potentially lock down your service so you can't use your phone for anything essentially. Now as of right now it appears that they are focused mainly on new devices and they aren't so worried with us. I can completely understand why they would want to stop the theft of this service but at the same time this news comes as a bummer. How long will it be until Verizon locks down root altogether? And this isn't even just Verizon but rather a joint venture across multiple carriers. I don't know how to link but go look it up if youre interested guys. It's under Droid bionic general. I don't know how to take this information....but anyways let's get some input rolling here. What do you guys think about this? And better yet anyone think its gonna affect our devices at some point?
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Okay I'm going to be as nice as I can about this. It's not true. We've had so many threads about this the threads are starting to scare people. Please stop. I don't mean to be rude to you. There is not on piece of solid evidence and I've talked to soooo many people it's not even funny. Don't buy it.

I'm rooted and I have wireless tether. However, there are apps in the market (Easy Tether and PDANet, for example) that do the same thing as wireless tether, but use a USB cable and work on unrooted phones, so the argument that VZW is cracking down on rooted users due to wireless tether isn't valid. I use WT every now and then if I need to connect my laptop for work reasons when I am at a customers location. If VZW feels the need to lock my phone, well, it IS their network and they have that right. I rooted my phone to get rid of the software that was bogging my phone down.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

ucluglee said:
I'm rooted and I have wireless tether. However, there are apps in the market (Easy Tether and PDANet, for example) that do the same thing as wireless tether, but use a USB cable and work on unrooted phones, so the argument that VZW is cracking down on rooted users due to wireless tether isn't valid. I use WT every now and then if I need to connect my laptop for work reasons when I am at a customers location. If VZW feels the need to lock my phone, well, it IS their network and they have that right. I rooted my phone to get rid of the software that was bogging my phone down.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
+1 true
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

DMCA wants to stop us from rooting our device PLEASE HELP

The DMCA want to make it illegal for us to root or jailbreak phones, tablets and gaming consoles. If this happens then we lose the ability to customize, fix bugs, and correct security issues on our devices that we pay money for. Xda developers will go away , and so will software innovation. Think about what we will lose Cyanogenmod, Miui, Juggernaut, Beastmod all of it gone and so will the money developers make selling root apps on the market this is important. If you think this is silly tell Steve Kondik AKA cyanogen hes the one who brought this to light for many people.
the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
https://www.eff.org/pages/jailbreaking-not-crime-tell-copyright-office-free-your-devices
Do some homework before blowing this off this is serious! Device manufacturers claim Root/jailbreaking violates Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which carries stiff penalties.

Are you seriously concerned about this? They can't stop us, and if ever we need to send our devices back we just return to stock...simple as that.

Yes, they can't stop us. But the current position on rooting and jailbreaking is only a temporary exemption from the DMCA. This exemption needs to be periodically renewed or it will expire and we will be subject to he DMCA which makes it easy to argue we are breaking the law. That alone would probably have a chilling effect on the rooting communities as the unofficial support from manufacturers dries up. I doubt Samsung will openly support a community perceived as breaking the law.
That said... yes, we need to speak up and help the larger rooting/jailbreaking community to renew this exemption. If we don't speak up, it will die and the FTC will not renew the exemption.

iLeopard said:
Are you seriously concerned about this? They can't stop us, and if ever we need to send our devices back we just return to stock...simple as that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the question really is if providers have the ability to accurately see what your phone is running and will they be forced to block our service if the DMCA threatens to sue the actual companies.

The real concern here isn’t about our ability to root/jail break our OWN devices or not. It’s about control! These scumbags along with the a**holes that support SOPA and PIPA simply want to keep us in check so they can shove their BS down our throats for the price of whatever they want.

If this happens then no one would ever upgrade phones and the market would take a big hit. We true rooter would aways stay on old phones to keep root.

xile6 said:
If this happens then no one would ever upgrade phones and the market would take a big hit. We true rooter would aways stay on old phones to keep root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd rather have a 100% stock sII than a modded up g1
anyway if google and the manufacturers want us not to root they will remove the ability to let us.

Smartphones = computers. Its legal to do whatever you want with a computer so long as you do not commit cyber crime.
Desktop pc -> laptop -> notebook -> netbook -> tablet -> smartphone
All these devices are the same... the only difference between them is the size & spec. They are all essentially computers.

If you don't support this by educating yourself and then registering your comments with the US Copyright Office within the next 8 days, like the Software Freedom Law Center has, what do you think will eventually happen to websites like xdadevelopers? Making jailbreaking/rooting illegal would apply to all instances, on devices both old and new. So you would be liable if you used such a device, (although it would be difficult to catch everyone), disseminated information on how to do this to your device, (goodbye all websites that help folks root), or sold services or software that helped someone root their device.
And tri4life's comments are accurate. With these kinds of laws in place, service providers would want, or may be forced to, develop systems which could tell if your smartphone is rooted and then turn off service, and likely put you into a queue for a visit from an "RIAA type" lawsuit. BTW, the "lock-in AppStore you can't change the OS" model is coming to personal computers as well. So not only is this a stand against this behavior on the smartphone front, but also in case this starts to creep into the PC world, as well. The Software Freedom Law Center comments go into some interesting details on this.
If you don't think it's serious than you should actually read the law that's in question here. For fun, you can skip down to the end where it describes the civil and criminal penalties that apply if the exemption is not in place. So not only do we need to support this strongly now, we need to work to make this exemption permanent.
Good Luck..

jordanishere said:
Smartphones = computers. Its legal to do whatever you want with a computer so long as you do not commit cyber crime.
Desktop pc -> laptop -> notebook -> netbook -> tablet -> smartphone
All these devices are the same... the only difference between them is the size & spec. They are all essentially computers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not entirely true. Some parts of all those devices might contain firmware that is copyrighted and encrypted. The DMCA would make it illegal to circumvent that firmware encryption. The only reason it's legal right now is because of the FTC exemption who ruled it's OK if we're not breaking any IP copyrights.
IMHO, SOPA/PIPA are all expansions on this kind of heavy handed lawmaking and is driven by the RIAA and MPAA. They've been going after 8 year olds and grandmothers just because they'll probably settle and pony up even tho they didn't do anything wrong. But don't misunderstand me. Piracy of IP is a big issue and should be dealt with but siphoning granny's bank accounts and making it illegal to mod your devices is not the way to do it.
We should be asking why we still need these laws if they can still go for an off-shore target like MegaUpload. I think they already have the tools they need and should stop legislating what I do with and to my technology. The scary thing is SOPA/PIPA are NOT DEAD... just tabled for now. I'd bet (not much) that once it's out of our recent memory they'll pass it so fast it'll be law before we can even fight it.

All this recent laws worry me more and more that we are loosing what so many fought and die for over the decades, it's being forgotten that it is By the People for the People not By the People for a few.
"Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government."
Patrick Henry

why in the world would android continue to be open source then? as Well, HTC allows rooting of devices pretty easily, As well as samsung has their new open to the public Dev programs, so their probably gonna follow HTC with open rooting. I really doubt Android phone manufacturer's will let it go on for very long if it did end up being illegal. Why else does anyone else buy android phones? I think they know that.

xile6 said:
If this happens then no one would ever upgrade phones and the market would take a big hit. We true rooter would aways stay on old phones to keep root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sammy has been kicking out Android phones with unlocked boot loaders from the get go (IN YOUR FACE HTC), so rooting and customizing is almost a given from the manufacturer, but not from the carriers. If it becomes illegal, then it becomes a slippery slope for all of us!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

lawalty said:
Sammy has been kicking out Android phones with unlocked boot loaders from the get go (IN YOUR FACE HTC), so rooting and customizing is almost a given from the manufacturer, but not from the carriers. If it becomes illegal, then it becomes a slippery slope for all of us!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/26/dmca-update-makes-new-phone-unlocking-illegal/

This makes me really sad... thanks op for bringing this up to attention. Not being able to root an Android device sucks a lot of fun outta it all.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

It was just ruled that it is not illegal to Jailbreak an iphone, tablets may be a different story though. I haven't heard anything regarding android devices.. I would assume it falls under the same category.. Either way it's not gonna stop anyone from doing it
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

"Every generation needs a new revolution" -Thomas Jefferson
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

Here is a guide for those who may be confused:
Rooting/Jailbreaking:
Smartphones - YES
Tablets - NO
Unlocking
If your phone was purchased prior to January 2013 - YES
New Phone - NO
Phones purchased after January 2013 can be unlocked with carrier's permission​
Unrelated:
Blind people can now use DRM stripping software to enable read-allowed function on eBooks purchased legally. However, to supply blind people with the software necessary to do so violates the "trafficking" provision under the rule, and is illegal.

What is not clear....
Carrier unlocking or bootloader unlocking...
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

Carrier unlocking will be illegal, unless carrier approval.
C. Wireless telephone handsets – interoperability with alternative
networks
Computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that
enable a wireless telephone handset originally acquired from
the operator of a wireless telecommunications network or
retailer no later than ninety days after the effective date of this
exemption to connect to a different wireless
telecommunications network, if the operator of the wireless
communications network to which the handset is locked has
failed to unlock it within a reasonable period of time following
a request by the owner of the wireless telephone handset, and
when circumvention is initiated by the owner, an individual
consumer, who is also the owner of the copy of the computer
program in such wireless telephone handset, solely in order to
connect to a different wireless telecommunications network,
and such access to the network is authorized by the operator of
the network.​
Bootloaders fall under the purview of jailbreak/root:
B. Wireless telephone handsets – software interoperability
Computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to
execute lawfully obtained software applications, where
circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling
interoperability of such applications with computer programs
on the telephone handset.​
sdlopez83 said:
What is not clear....
Carrier unlocking or bootloader unlocking...
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Devs: How much GPS information can Sprint access?

Hi developers and friends,
Seeing as our wonderful E4GT developers were on the bleeding edge of Carrier IQ and generally seem to be really knowledgeable about our phone compared to a lot of other communities on XDA (no diss intended), I figured this would be a good place to ask. You may or may not have seen this article already:
Police Are Using Phone Tracking as a Routine Tool
(nytimes.com/2012/04/01/us/police-tracking-of-cellphones-raises-privacy-fears.html - can't hyperlink it due to post count, sorry)
I know there's no way to prevent tower-based geolocation, but the article (and the associated ACLU documents) also mentioned that some police departments have successfully subpoenaed GPS lat/long information from carriers. From what you guys know, does Android still send any sort of fine location data back to Sprint/Google now that Carrier IQ is gone? (Don't worry about WiFi location inference stuff)
Also, general question to Sprint techs willing to fathom a guess: Does Sprint store enough data to be able to triangulate (trilaterate?) location postmortem past general tower radius? My hunch is to say that call quality data would only include the tower(s) primarily responsible for a call or roamed to, but I'm not nearly savvy enough in regards to cell networks to know if that's anywhere near accurate. (I've been lead to believe that tracking in general is slightly more theoretically complex on CDMA-based networks than UMTS/GSM - not sure if that's right either)
Don't worry, I'm not a serial killer or anything - but the question perked my interest.
(Figured I would ask here since it doesn't seem to fit well into the typical Q&A fare and since this is also discussion-worthy too; feel free to move if you disagree, mods)

If I really wanted to be "off the grid" either use a prepaid phone where personal info isn't linked to you or use land lines.
I dont think google or sprint would just hand over gps locations with out some kind of warrent, but then again if you have warrent that the police or FBI are going to those lengths to find you, your already in deep doodoo.

phatmanxxl said:
If I really wanted to be "off the grid" either use a prepaid phone where personal info isn't linked to you or use land lines.
I dont think google or sprint would just hand over gps locations with out some kind of warrent, but then again if you have warrent that the police or FBI are going to those lengths to find you, your already in deep doodoo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it depends on your state laws, some places have already gotten some of the carriers to hand over location info without a warrant. They had even gone so far as to plant their own GPS trackers on vehicles surreptitiously without a warrant. It has caused a pretty big stink among privacy advocates. The way this country is going with spying on its own citizens I'm tempted to buy an emf reader to sweep my house and car for bugs :-S
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Am i the only one that doesn't care if the government or sprint know about how much porn i look at or how much weed i smoke or what other random bull**** they might figure out from my phone? Lol Maybe I'm just blessed that none of my crimes are worth the effort it would take to bust me for them

Specialksg1 said:
Am i the only one that doesn't care if the government or sprint know about how much porn i look at or how much weed i smoke or what other random bull**** they might figure out from my phone? Lol Maybe I'm just blessed that none of my crimes are worth the effort it would take to bust me for them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not that I care they know what I do, its more the principal of them trying to take my GD constitutional rights away, if I wanted to be monitored 24/7 I'd move to effing China or N.Korea
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

[CLOSED] [App project] looking for developer android security + Backup + monitor app

Mod Edit: Thread closed. Please do not post job offers onto xda.
Thanks!

fahim5001 said:
Hi there,
I am looking for a developer who can code me a simple app, the app will be similar to rat on PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not asking for a RAT that the user knows it's existence, what you are asking for is a hacking tool, unless it's made for a company so its monitor its (WORK DEVICES) like work computers to make sure the employees are not on Facebook and are actually working, what you're asking for is pretty much illegal and against the law specially that it's a personal device. spying on call logs is a federal felony If you want to "purchase a RAT" for hacking which is pretty much what you are asking for, XDA is not the place for that.

Hell Guardian said:
You're not asking for a RAT that the user knows it's existence, what you are asking for is a hacking tool, unless it's made for a company so its monitor its (WORK DEVICES) like work computers to make sure the employees are not on Facebook and are actually working, what you're asking for is pretty much illegal and against the law specially that it's a personal device. spying on call logs is a federal felony If you want to "purchase a RAT" for hacking which is pretty much what you are asking for, XDA is not the place for that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well maybe you got me wrong, its for small company of mine. i provide local small package shipping solution. i have 5 employees who handle delivery via cycle. they pickup packages and get senders information and receivers information, since we are local company we dont take much information from our clients. we do not ask our clients whats inside the package, but when the receiver picks the package we take 2 pictures. 1 picture of receiver and 1 picture of receivers photo identity card. but this isnt the reason for the software i require.
My company also provides a special "emergency pickup" service when the client needs fast delivery. they directly call one of my employees and they take care of everything and take cash money from clients and bring it to company house.
but i have a huge sales drop for last 2 months but my employees are working same as before. i need to track this sales, then i came up with an idea of having a app which can track but my employees wont know what i am tracking, they will know that i am tracking them.