serious security issue with background app refresh (i5 - ios9.2)

vin12 wrote:

Why is the above not a 'reality' anymore when it was possible in iOS 7.x?... This is where the security issue starts..hope you guys are getting what I mean now..

Because we're two major versions of iOS later and who knows how many of Whatsapp. Things change. And no, it doesn't explain why this is a security issue.

If you feel that Whatsapp is not working in a way the you approve of, I agree with Tim, delete it. I'm more than willing to believe that Whatsapp doesn't take your security seriously.

Meg St._Clair wrote:

If you feel that Whatsapp is not working in a way the you approve of, I agree with Tim, delete it. I'm more than willing to believe that Whatsapp doesn't take your security seriously.

Especially since FaceBook bought it 😁

vin12 wrote:

If any 'content' is arriving on a device without the permission/consent of its user or owner - it is a security issue. No more arguments and I know what I am talking about. Period.

WRONG. You are the owner of your phone. Only you have access to it. So whatever data arrives on your phone is totally under your control. If your phone was SENDING data without your knowledge that would be a security issue. When you receive a letter in the mail that you did not expect, is that a security issue?

Lawrence Finch wrote:

When you receive a letter in the mail that you did not expect, is that a security issue?

Given a much larger group of people seem uncomfortable with the notion of their name, address and landline number being publicly listed (remember when that was just normal?), I'd guess that there are people who don't deal well with getting mail they don't expect.

Push notifications work the same way they did since iOS 2.1. Before iOS 8 there was no background app refresh, because there was no background option for apps; they could not run freely in background.

And no one here is going to waste any more time with you. You have been given an answer; accept it or don't.

vin12 wrote:

this is where the security issue lies.

It is a pity to see responses asking me to delete whatsapp!!!

You still haven't explained why this is a security issue.

Regardless of how much you stamp your feet and holler, the phone does not work the way it does in your fantasy. You can either take steps to deal with it (delete Whatsapp) or live with it. Or buy one of those ultra-secure Android phones. This is not us being arrogant. This is us pointing out the options available at this time. Arrogance is thinking that, just because you want something, the rest of the world is obligated to make sure you get it. Sorry.

vin12 wrote:

I want my device the way I want it to work and it should work.

Try buying one that does what you want instead of complaining about the one you bought. That would be the adult way of dealing with the situation,

Your voluntary downloading and installation of WhatsApp, including not making any changes to the settings of the app, or denying access to the internet by turning off cellular data access to the application is you de facto granting the app permission to, as you put it, download content. So you are creating your own security issue. I suggest you modify the settings in the app and/or phone to prevent its access. And as much as you want to say it, Background App Refresh is not what you need to change.

vin12 wrote:

Guys - how many still think it is NOT a security issue??

I don't. Any incoming data is data that you have authorized by installing the app which supports push notifications. That data is YOUR data since you accepted the terms of the app and what it does. If those terms aren't suitable to you, delete the app or put your device into Airplane mode for times that you don't want this data sent to you, simple as that.

A security issue would be unsolicited data being pushed onto your device. But by installing an app that supports push, the data is no longer unsolicited.

rockmyplimsoul wrote:

vin12 wrote:

Guys - how many still think it is NOT a security issue??

I don't.

No one rational does.

Time to stick a fork in this thread and turn it over. Its done. OP wouldn't recognize a clue it it held up a sign and kicked him in the nads. Time to move on to other things.