Why does a photo app need to make phone calls?. You know how each new app you download asks for permission to access certain parts of your phone? You might reasonably expect Meitu, a photo app, to use your camera (so it can take pictures), your phone's storage (so it can edit pictures stored on your phone) and some internet access as well. But Meitu doesn't stop there. Oh no: It wants your location and your phone number, to automatically run itself at startup, and more. Why does a photo-editing app need to make phone calls? Why would it change your audio settings or mess with other apps running on your phone?.

And that's just the Android version: Jonathan Zdziarski, a security researcher who often digs into apps like this, has discovered some at&t screen protectors iphone 8 plus very strange lines of code in the iOS app as well, According to Zdziarski, the iPhone version of the app is quietly checking to see whether your phone is jailbroken (because that's not creepy), which cellular carrier you're using, and is even potentially able to uniquely identify your device using the hardware MAC address of your phone, Why would it need all that? He speculates that the company is selling your information to companies who'll target you with advertising..

It's not remotely unusual for apps to sell data to advertisers, but an app that could be constantly, quietly collecting that data (using code that violates Apple's rules, according to Zdziarski) even after you reboot your phone, or put in in sleep mode.. let's just say it raises some privacy concerns. There's still an awful lot we don't know, including whether Meitu is actually collecting or selling this data. Apple and Google didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. But until we know for sure, we're a little bit nervous about downloading Meitu on our own phones. Perhaps you should be, too.

Update, 3 p.m, PT: FourOctets, a self-described "security pessimist" on Twitter, claims the app is already sending your phone's unique identifier (the IMEI) to multiple servers in China, According to the company's privacy policy, Meitu claims it will only use your data for the following at&t screen protectors iphone 8 plus five purposes, (I) To improve product functionality and upgrade user experience, thereby offering better services for the user;, (II) For identity verification, security control and customer services, so as to ensure the normal use and security of Meitu;..

(III) To enable Meitu to better understand the interests of the user to help Meitu to respond to user's individual demands;. (IV) Meitu may use the user's personal information to prevent, find and investigate the practices of fraud, endangering of security, illegal actions or other conduct violating the agreement, policy or rules between the user and Meitu or its associated parties, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Meitu or its associated parties;. (V) To enable the user to participate in the surveys of Meitu's relevant products and services.