Are you aware that those Apps you install from an apps store can control and use the following functions on your smart phone?:
1.Snap pictures and make videos with your phone's camera
2.Activate your Internet access to upload vital data such as pix and documents
3.Track your location at any point in time
4.Modify or delete contents in your SD card
5.Access and copy your phone contacts
6.Access your mobile line I.D and phone serial number
7.Initiate calls from your phone with your mobile number
8.Access your stored SMS and send new SMS
9.Access and utilize your email accounts and other cyber accounts
10.Control your Wifi settings etc

These are some of the dangers of total invasion of privacy that comes as the price we pay for the "free" (unfortunately some paid-for apps also pose such threats) mobile apps we download from app stores and yet most of us rarely take these into cognizance when downloading and installing such apps. Interestingly an app store like Google play requires that app developers to declare what access and controls their apps intend to make and also request permissions from users for such access and controls, yet most users lack the patience to read through such fine prints.

My questions are for those gurus (especially Android users)on Nairaland that are already aware of this apps risk: How Do You protect Yourself from this menace? Does anyone know of mobile apps that are free of such controls and where to get them? Please, share freely so others can be educated, empowered and protected!

Check these out for further reading:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-news/app-permissions-we-are-our-worst-enemy/6833
http://www.androidcentral.com/android-permissions-privacy-security
http://www.androidcentral.com/look-application-permissions
http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-htc-rezound/179861-why-do-some-apps-demand-so-many-permissions.html
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/free-android-apps-cost-users-security-privacy-1C6848002

@Poster, you are quite right. A very good example of such app on Android is Sybla tv. The app is actually free, but there's this disgusting aspect of the app that I hate so much and that's what the app does immediately you exit it, it'll bring out some disgusting adverts and some of those adverts could just pop out any time, thereby disrupting your privacy.

Wilfem: @Poster, you are quite right. A very good example of such app on Android is Sybla tv. The app is actually free, but there's this disgusting aspect of the app that I hate so much and that's what the app does immediately you exit it, it'll bring out some disgusting adverts and some of those adverts could just pop out any time, thereby disrupting your privacy.

Did you get to see the list of permissions it required of you before you installed it? As per the adverts app developers who offer their apps for free tend to earn their revenue from directing ads from advertisers to users of their apps. In fact that's the major justification they give for requiring permissions to access and control almost every data and function of a users phone in order to sell user data to their advert partners.