This is really the status quo when it comes to free Android utility apps. Most users skip quickly past the permission when installing, and as a result, you can generally stuff anything you want in there. To compliment this, the app is ad supported and ad networks will pay a premium to target on that. The number of users that notice, care and don't install is insignificant compared to the increase in revenue they see by passing this extra information along.
iOS may be better about notifying users when it comes to accessing location and contact information, but Android has a much more robust system of permissions. Users can see nearly every component of the system the device wants to interact with, determine whether that is satisfactory and choose to install the software or not. Unfortunately most users are more concerned about finding their keys in the dark or hanging a picture straight to care.
iOS may be better about notifying users when it comes to accessing location and contact information, but Android has a much more robust system of permissions. Users can see nearly every component of the system the device wants to interact with, determine whether that is satisfactory and choose to install the software or not. Unfortunately most users are more concerned about finding their keys in the dark or hanging a picture straight to care.