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NobleMatt · Jan 6, 2011, 12:20 PM

I've decided to now just come back and ask you guys for Legal advice, but to also maybe chat mac again.

I've just installed the App Store and spotted that some of the apps I have installed (which may or may not have fallen off the back of a lorry) have been picked up as already being installed by the app store, should I be worried about how this data could be used?

imitchellg5 · Jan 6, 2011, 12:44 PM

No, it's no different than the iTunes Store knowing which apps you have installed in your iTunes.

FireWire · Jan 6, 2011, 08:08 PM

I think what he means is that you didn't install your "Mac" apps via iTunes, so it means the computer actually scans your HD, while the iOS apps came from iTunes to begin with. I'm not too confortable with Apple scanning the content of my HD either...

turtle777 · Jan 6, 2011, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

No, it's no different than the iTunes Store knowing which apps you have installed in your iTunes.

Actually, it IS different.

Note how the OP said "may or may not have fallen off the lorry".
Not knowing what kind of information is transmitted is indeed worrisome for those using illegally obtained apps.

-t

FireWire · Jan 6, 2011, 08:58 PM

And knowing Jobs' willingness to "free us from p0rn", will the software automatically delete our stash as it scans our drive?

Seriously, if I ever learn this gimmick reports illegal software to anyone, I'm never touching a Mac again.. no big brother allowed on my machine.

imitchellg5 · Jan 7, 2011, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Actually, it IS different.

Note how the OP said "may or may not have fallen off the lorry".
Not knowing what kind of information is transmitted is indeed worrisome for those using illegally obtained apps.

-t

How come I can sideload apps then into iTunes and it'll show up as being owned on the iTunes Store App Store pages?

Apple can do this without even transferring information to themselves. All it takes it the App Store to do a quick search for anything ending in .app, which should already be indexed thanks to Spotlight, and then block out all entries in the App Store with a button that says INSTALLED if the version installed is the same as what the store has. If the store has a newer version, it can show up in downloads. No information transmitted to Apple. The frameworks are all there in OS X.

NobleMatt · Jan 7, 2011, 06:20 AM

Yer a couple of you guys are correct. I was referring to mac apps, i mean take iMovie as an example, that version of iLife may or may not have fallen off a lorry, but the app store now knows its installed and if the app store is handling all the updates for it, then its going to be transmitting that data.

(it actually looks like it hasn't picked up that fact that iWork is installed, maybe its missed that, maybe some with work can confirm)

NobleMatt · Jan 7, 2011, 06:21 AM

And knowing Jobs' willingness to "free us from p0rn", will the software automatically delete our stash as it scans our drive?

actually about the only video i have on the HDD has gone.... hmmm

CharlesS · Jan 7, 2011, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

How come I can sideload apps then into iTunes and it'll show up as being owned on the iTunes Store App Store pages?

Apple can do this without even transferring information to themselves. All it takes it the App Store to do a quick search for anything ending in .app, which should already be indexed thanks to Spotlight, and then block out all entries in the App Store with a button that says INSTALLED if the version installed is the same as what the store has. If the store has a newer version, it can show up in downloads. No information transmitted to Apple. The frameworks are all there in OS X.

No need even to use Spotlight. LaunchServices has full facility for looking up apps by name or bundle ID, and it's instantaneous.

Athens · Jan 7, 2011, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by FireWire

I think what he means is that you didn't install your "Mac" apps via iTunes, so it means the computer actually scans your HD, while the iOS apps came from iTunes to begin with. I'm not too confortable with Apple scanning the content of my HD either...

Did you bother to read the license agreement and terms when you installed it or like most people just clicked accept right away. Im sure it probably covers it. I wouldn't be surprised that in the future the Store will be updated to provide back suggestions based on current software installed like iTunes guesses music you might like.

That said Apple is one of the very few companies I actually trust with my personal data.

Spheric Harlot · Jan 7, 2011, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by NobleMatt

Yer a couple of you guys are correct. I was referring to mac apps, i mean take iMovie as an example, that version of iLife may or may not have fallen off a lorry, but the app store now knows its installed and if the app store is handling all the updates for it, then its going to be transmitting that data.

(it actually looks like it hasn't picked up that fact that iWork is installed, maybe its missed that, maybe some with work can confirm)

It sees iWork as installed if you have the current version.

NobleMatt · Jan 7, 2011, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

It sees iWork as installed if you have the current version.

ha, mine must have been a dodgy install then, jackpot

imitchellg5 · Jan 7, 2011, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Athens

Did you bother to read the license agreement and terms when you installed it or like most people just clicked accept right away. Im sure it probably covers it. I wouldn't be surprised that in the future the Store will be updated to provide back suggestions based on current software installed like iTunes guesses music you might like.

The iOS App Store does that, I'm sure it'll come to the OS X App Store after it gets larger.

FireWire · Jan 7, 2011, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by Athens

Did you bother to read the license agreement and terms when you installed it or like most people just clicked accept right away. Im sure it probably covers it. I wouldn't be surprised that in the future the Store will be updated to provide back suggestions based on current software installed like iTunes guesses music you might like.

That said Apple is one of the very few companies I actually trust with my personal data.

I didn't upgrade yet, but I'm pretty sure you can't update your OS without installing the AppStore, so unless you want to be stuck forever in 10.6.5, you have to accept whatever they say in the license agreement...