So I had recently purchased Cerberus and additional licenses, I also signed up to participate in their Beta test.
So shortly after begining to explore some of the functions, about a week into using this app I abruptly get blocked from most of the functions of this app, without warning and PERMANENTLY.
So I contact tech support for some answers, I get a generic reply. Then after all follow up requests for specifics are completely ignored. I post on their forum , and post gets deleted. I contact moderator to ask why a completely factual post is deleted, no response either.
I can't believe the arrogance of this company to take a user's money, then cut off their services, and refuse to explain, followed by being completely ignored.
Which leads me to this posting. I'm looking for an affordable solution that provides most of the same features of Cerberus. I'd love to be able to promote this alternative app as much as I can, and would love to see Cerberus go out of business due to their unethical business practices.
I used Cerberus for a while, but now I'm using Prey Anti Theft, which can be found on the Play Store, and I'm and a couple of friends have been satisfied whit it.
They also have apps for other operating systems, too.
Hope it helps.
Lol, that's nothing. I paid for two accounts for lifetime license, they recently cancelled both my accounts on account of expired. Lol, lifetime product got expired just after 5+ years. So basically they became some lieing stupid people and want people in their subscription plans even if they have a lifetime license. No, thamk you. I also came here looking for an alternative.
Related
Guys, theres a movement in the community to get rid of this site which sells access to pirated paid apps. Now, this isnt to promote the site, this is to get rid of it. Please go here and sign the petition. All the information is there. Support app developers who work hard to make our phones better by helping to get rid of these pirates.
http://bit.ly/bkKwaZ
Support your community!
Also, if you follow this link: http://twitter.com/Mini_Lee/status/20682622042 it will take you to the tweet i put out with the petition link directly in it. So if you're one of those people with thousands of followers on twitter, send it out!
Done, and tweeting it.
Signed - thank you to whoever started this petition!
Been following this on Twitter today. Retweeted protests, and just signed this. I'll be honest, I pirate a lot of stuff, but I wouldn't pirate from a hard working Android dev. If pirating Android apps grew, devs might be less inclined to develop good apps for Android.
OP updated with link to RT'able tweet link.
Kusotare, what do you intend to do with the results of the petition?
I checked, their domain is registered through GoDaddy and hidden by DomainsByProxy. I sent an e-mail to DomainsByProxy to see whether they actually respond to information about illegal activity. It has been my experience that such complaints to GoDaddy will go unanswered but e-mail is cheap so I hit them up too.
But in all honesty, this will be a minor hiccup, if it gets them taken down at all. The overall IP block is owned by Worldstream out of the Netherlands (according to the RIPE branch of IANA), although some tools report the actual location as Portugal. If you run a reverse IP lookup (try a good one like YouGetSignal), the web server at the same IP is also host to a bunch of Iranian spam and piracy blogs under the vatanblog.com domain, so my guess is whomever owns the server (which isn't going to be the same as those running the network where the IP block is managed) isn't going to be too worried about the results of a petition.
But I suppose it can't hurt to hit up Worldstream, so I've e-mailed them as well.
P.S. Phromik, speaking as a software developer who has been victimized by piracy, you're a hypocritical tool.
^ really no need for that last part, though I understand why you would say it.
s15274n said:
^ really no need for that last part, though I understand why you would say it.
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Really no need for him to roll in here and brag about his piracy, is there?
Fighting piracy is and will always be a losing battle, but when people are actually out there profiting from other people's hard work something needs to be done.
Signed and tweeted and facebooked. I will also follow suit and send emails to godaddy and Domainsbyproxy.
Except he's not bragging... he's being honest.
srqt said:
Fighting piracy is and will always be a losing battle, but when people are actually out there profiting from other people's hard work something needs to be done.
Signed and tweeted and facebooked. I will also follow suit and send emails to godaddy and Domainsbyproxy.
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GoDaddy are the domain registrant. The actual website is hosted on a dedicated server provided by worldstream.nl so you want to be contacting [email protected] as well as the Dutch anti-piracy outfit BREIN at [email protected]
It's interesting to note that the same dedicated server is being used to host several other warez sites including some pornography forums. I'm pretty sure neither the server provider or BREIN would be happy about these.
It's interesting to note that within the last 12 hours androidplayground has been taken offline. However I suspect this was done by the owner rather than any takedown notice. He has already set his twitter account to private and one of the last tweets he sent was about having a new server ready.
To Bad google isn't jumping on this. I mean you see his lame comment on nearly every app that comes out in the market.
What confuses me is why would somebody send him money to become a member knowing he/she is a thief in the first place.
The results of the petition will be sent to the domain registrar, the host and paypal in a three way attack. If all goes well, they'll lose their domain, hosting and ability to charge people through paypal simultaneously. I have already emailed all three of the companies to let them know about the petition.
So yes, while it may be a losing battle in the long run to fight piracy, at least we can do what we can. Signing a petition or firing off an email takes the same amount of time it does to write a post here, so why not help out?
Response from Worldstream:
Hi,
The website has been taken down earlier today.
Met vriendelijke groet / Kind regards,
Dirk Vromans
Technical Engineer
Worldstream C.V.
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Although from one of the earlier posts it sounds like the site owner was already planning to move it anyway -- which is what I was getting at earlier. The best you can hope for is to just go chasing him around endlessly.
I saw the same crap over and over in the Palm Treo software world...
The new licensing system might help. =]
Phromik said:
...If pirating Android apps grew, devs might be less inclined to develop good apps for Android.
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Whatever....
Without defending what I consider to be a low-life, who spams every review on the Market, most pirates wouldn't really buy most products they steal, just as most people don't normally pirate stuff they genuinely want and like.
There are a ton of pirate sources for the iPhone, yet good developers do pretty well in the App store.
The only developers whining are the ones who have a crappy product and blame the nebulous evil of "piracy" for their lack of success.
This is outrageous!! Piracy should be free.
I mean that completely tongue-in-cheek, as I spend a LOT of money on android software. I admit I don't hate piracy in general, as a sort of try-before-you-buy system, but charging money for stolen goods is evil. These people are scum.
Former AndroidPlayground.net user
I used to use this site because I just assumed that they had an agreement with the developers. I couldn't even imagine the audacity it would take to charge people for pirated software.
One thing I do wonder, why do Android apps cost more than iPhone apps? This might be part of the reason people feel like they are being ripped off by the android developers and say, "screw you then".
NOT trying to justify it, but it is something to consider.
jswanstr said:
One thing I do wonder, why do Android apps cost more than iPhone apps? This might be part of the reason people feel like they are being ripped off by the android developers and say, "screw you then".
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I'm just guessing, but so far all data indicates that iPhone users seem to be significantly more willing to pay for apps. I'm hoping this changes as the Android becomes more mainstream.
I'll try to cut things short and get to the point.
Google has recently announced that it is going to change its privacy policy . The new privacy policy allows Google to enhance its products by collecting data. Data that is being collected. That data is transferred via Google products (Youtube, Gmail, Google Maps, etc.). For Google to be able to collect your data, you have to be logged in into one of its products and data collecting starts.
By signing off form its products, is transfer being disabled? If you use Google search engine, is data being collected via cookies and is it the same just as if you are signed in into some Google product? That way, by monitoring IP activity it can effectively collect data just as if you were signed in into Google prods.
It looks to me that no matter what, signed in or not, Google will get those data!
Can Google collect data from my Android phone even if I am not signed in into any Google product, but simply because I am using Android?
How is it possible that no one takes interest in this matter? This sounds serious to me and it does needs some attention, at least to be informed properly. Big corporation Google is taking away privacy, by building a behaving system for each Internet user.
How come this topic, not mine but in general, is being dropped down from everyone's sight?
mendoza1 said:
How is it possible that no one takes interest in this matter? This sounds serious to me and it does needs some attention, at least to be informed properly. Big corporation Google is taking away privacy, by building a behaving system for each Internet user.
How come this topic, not mine but in general, is being dropped down from everyone's sight?
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Because its been discussed in a few threads.
And possibly because google are simply collecting all they know about you in one place.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
As long as you are using a google product, they will most surtainly be collecting data from you.
It won't matter if you are logged in or not.
It's a sad reality, but if you want privacy, don't use google products. Or facebook for that matter.
Personally i would love a OS that has privacy in mind. But i fear such a thing is close to impossible these days.
Sent from my LT18i using XDA App
People made a huge stink over Carrier IQ but when its Google its not a big deal. collection of personal information sucks-period. What makes anyone think that almighty Google cant be hacked by some sort of group like Anonymous? Although I see no reason at the moment for them to do it, I dont want to say its not possible. Really Google needs to be limited on what they have access too just like anybody. I love the Android platform and many of Googles products, but I am willing to pay a little to keep my information safe. Remember if you are not paying for it, you are not the customer, you are the product being sold.
I am wondering if there is a need for a dedicated 'Google Play Store' forum, and would like to see what the opinion of other users is.
The basis of my suggestion is as follows:
I have, over the last 4 years or so, purchased upwards of 200 apps, and of those 200 apps, 20% I use on a daily basis, 30% are just outdated and I have moved on and up, but there is nothing wrong with them..... but perhaps 50% are apps that I paid for and am disappointed with because they are just not 'fit for use' or the developer stopped updating what was already a buggy app.
15 minutes to fully test out an app for bugs and incompatibility is just not long enough, and there is no assurances that the developer will fulfill their promises of evolving, updating and fixing bugs that do appear.
A perfect example would be SPB Shell, $15 / £10 and a complete waste of money - enticing at the time, but immediately abandoned by the developer as the money rolled in, and those that had purchased it, where left flogging a dead horse. The developer had a standard response to the google play review complaints, saying they would pass complaints, bugs and suggestions to the developer, but nothing ever happened and SPB are laughing all the way to the bank!
Individually, an app is only a few $'s/£'s and we think "so what"..... but add all those up, and suddenly its a great deal of money!
I believe that 'Google Play Store' have a legal obligation when selling a product, no differently to a high street shop selling a television, in that, the public do not deal with the television manufacturer when there is a problem, and that the shop must respond to public concerns if a manufacturer is getting that shop to sell products 'not fit for use'
XDA has a huge influence on public opinion with its reviews, advice and membership evaluations of products and services, and I think Google Play and their app suppliers should be held accountable in a dedicated forum - reviews, issues, bugs.... the good, 'pat and clap'..... and the bad - "name and shame"
For each new thread, the developer is e-mailed and invited to join in the conversation for both encouragement and to be part of any resolution process - and whether they participate or not, can be taken as a reflection of their efforts and sincerity to their customers .... and we may reach a day where, like with SPB Shell, if there is enough of us, we could proceed with a 'class-action' that legally obliges Google to refund money for products that have failed to meet a required standard, or a written statement or promise from the developer on their 'play store' app sales page that has not been fulfilled, and that sets a new precedent for android user's and the spending of their hard earned money.
Whats everyone else's opinion?
Question: What happens when the T&C or Privacy Policy of an app we paid for changes in a way we're not content with?
Though this question relates to Endomondo, though I suppose it could apply to any app in the Play store that has been updated or undergone a Privacy Policy change during the course of use. I believe this issue is a larger one of how to protect ourselves in an ever increasingly dangerous world of data hacking and marketing abuse.
Here's a topline of the particulars, but again, it could apply to any app we use, on any platform for that matter.
Back in 2011, I purchased Endomondo Pro.
During a relatively recent OTA app update, they removed a feature I specifically bought the app for (the step counter) presumably in preparation for what happened next.
In the past year (give-or-take), the company (read: Endomondo app) was acquired by UnderArmor
The aforementioned update forced us to a different version of the program, so we either had to go along with the update, or be unable to use the app. Naturally, having paid for the program, I accepted the update.
Some time in the month of March(?) they updated their Privacy Policy in such a way that I am no longer comfortable using the program.
In any other world, what has happened here could be considered 'bait-and-switch' at best, racketeering and coercion at worst in that we were forcibly required to accept the update or lose use of the program we paid for.
Though they claim there has been no change in their Privacy Policy, I disagree, though I don't happen to have a copy of their old policy when it was managed by Endomondo. Thus, I have not been able to use the program because of my discomfort with what I believe to be a dramatic change in the language of the Privacy Policy.
Specifically, the change is way too intrusive for me, especially with our government being too much involved in our health care system, and the ever-increasing risk of hacks that have breached even the most secure systems.
DISCLAIMER: To their credit, Endomondo (and their new owners, UnderArmor) have honored the privacy settings. I have not received one shred of unsolicited advertisement. However, who knows what they may be cooking up in the back room without our knowledge, and who knows how that might change at any point going forward.
Here's how the mealy-mouthed lawyers spin this up:
How We Disclose Personal Data
Under Armour will only disclose your Personal Data with your knowledge and as stated in this Privacy Policy or as indicated at the time of collection. This includes disclosures that will enable us to fulfill our obligations to you, and allows us to manage our business operations. We will only share your Personal Data with third parties in certain limited instances, namely with your consent, or as is necessary to complete a transaction or provide a product, service, or feature that you have requested.
We may disclose your Personal Data as described in this Privacy Policy and in the following ways:
To Affiliates, Partners, Vendors, and Suppliers
During Recruitment and Job Applications
To Enable the Use of Our Services
In Community Forums
As We Grow and Change – Corporate Transactions and Reorganizations
As Required by Law and Special Circumstances
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Translated: they can do whatever they want, any time they want, to whomever they want, for whatever reasons they want... all they need to do in order to disclose your most personal information is to say it's for "research" or "business operations". And, to complicate matters further, they say:
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time without prior notice. You can determine when this Policy was last revised by checking the Effective Date. We encourage you to periodically review this privacy policy to ensure you understand our privacy practices.
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Translated: Not only can we do whatever we want, but we don't even have to tell you.
It seems to me this is a violation not only of trust, but bordering on illegal, by coercing us into allowing the update and then unilaterally changing the privacy policy in such a way as to leave us no alternative to using what we paid for, no opt-out, and no other options. I don't need to have my workout data stored on their servers, I'd gladly keep it on my local device. Frankly, this whole 'cloud' thing is both overrated and worrisome at best.
Ironically enough, as a marketing professional, I completely understand and endorse the idea that (when used honestly and properly) data such as this is as good for customers as it is for the company using it. However, when things go bad (and not a month goes by when it doesn't), we who are the victims of data theft have no recourse.
I'm of the opinion that there ought to be legislation passed to hold companies accountable should they collect data that later becomes the subject of a breach. Though I'm probably the last person to want our government once again involved in our lives, there ought to be a way to provide consumers with recourse to hold a company accountable in the event of a breach should they collect our data that becomes compromised. As it sits now, when something goes bad, companies shrug their shoulders and say "sorry", and we're left cancelling credit cards, chasing our tails to fix it, and in extreme cases, rebuilding our lives in the aftermath of identity fraud.
So, I'd like to hear your thoughts on what we, as users, customers and consumers of technology products, might do to protect ourselves and assert our rights to what we paid for in the first place. To whom would one go in order to file a complaint? Should we look to Google? Perhaps the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)?
Just curious to hear your thoughts.
My father passed a couple days ago and I need to gain access to his phone in order to invite all his friends to the service as well as get into contact with some family overseas.
He has a 4 pin code that I've been trying to guess but have not yet succeded.
I can provide proof that it is my fathers phone incase people believe it is stolen.
I can't get into his samsung account because it is basically his google account, I set up his google account with two factor authorization. Which requires me to get into his phone to even access.
Anything Helps
I don't have easy-to-hear information for you. But I offer these words as a way to think about this situation.
I believe Samsung intentionally builds phones which are extremely hard to break into. This is a conscious design decision they make. Why? Because so many users do things like credit card payments, banking, and social media, where, if you lost your phone and a bad person found it, an easy-to-break-into device would have potentially catastrophic results. Aside from the harm to a user who lost a phone, Samsung themselves would be subjected to great reputational damage, too. It's bad press when it's easy to break into and steal something.
Also, you may not be able to break into the device, even with the help of a commercial vendor. Exploits in Android, when found, are patched regularly. A very smart person might have had a way to crack into a phone last week, last month, or last year. But again, Samsung intends to continually patch the software to keep it secure. They make a point to telling people that Samsung phones are patched for several years, so users will feel confident their data will be secure.
One suspects certain governments have police or security organizations who likely could break in, but they are unlikely to help in a personal situation, as you described.
It's worth saying that Samsung phones are also backed up (by default) to their "cloud." It's possible that a lawyer might be able, with proper documentation of the owner's death, to get access to Samsung's (or Google's) cloud backup(s). I don't think it's easy though. Google, at least in the USA, allows the owner of an account to specify how Google should handle their data if they stop accessing their accounts. (I think Google treats an idle account as "dead" and for reasons like this, if you no longer want to use a vendor like Samsung or Google, you should proactively delete your account, not merely let it go idle.)
Anyone reading this post, might want to consider having what can be an uncomfortable conversation with your friends and family: "How would you like your friends and family handle your electronic, financial, and social accounts in the event of your death?"
Please, forgive me if any of this sounds insensitive. My father worked in insurance and as part of his job he knew all to well that all people eventually die. And how hard it is for those left behind to pick up the pieces, especially when secrets are involved. My family knows where to find my keys.
Uzuki12 said:
My father passed a couple days ago and I need to gain access to his phone in order to invite all his friends to the service as well as get into contact with some family overseas.
He has a 4 pin code that I've been trying to guess but have not yet succeded.
I can provide proof that it is my fathers phone incase people believe it is stolen.
I can't get into his samsung account because it is basically his google account, I set up his google account with two factor authorization. Which requires me to get into his phone to even access.
Anything Helps
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You can see his contacts in his Google account on a browser, but if he saved the contacts locally (which is annoying that many phones don't make it clear that contacts are saved locally only until specifying Google as the account to save to)