Ok, so mobile carriers want to earn a little extra off you from apps and other installable programs – you can hardly fault them for that, as they are businesses in need of profit anyways. But to sneakily install bloatware (the not-so-endearing term for carrier-sponsored software) without the users’ permission is crossing some sort of a line, and yes, Digital Turbine’s Ignite app allows carriers to do just that.
Digital Turbine is a developer of app management, search, and shopping app solutions for carriers – which include Vodafone, Verizon, Telefónica, T-Mobile, SingTel, Smart, Telstra, and Cricket among others. The Ignite app is its biggest moneymaker – which ostensibly is an app that will allow developers to speed up the roll-out of apps and updates for smartphones. The video below will show you what’s up.
Sounds good so far? Now, Verizon and T-Mobile are clients of Digital Turbine – and the Ignite app has reportedly been installed rather quietly onto T-Mobile devices under the package of a “performance enhancement” update. Here’s where the problem starts.
Reddit user “Real666_” has spoken out that the DT Ignite app on his Galaxy Note 4 has allowed the installation of 3 apps – Cookie Jam, Drippler, and RetailMeNot – without even getting his permission. This means that the DT Ignite app has bypassed Google’s app permission requests, which were put there for this very reason.
How does one resolve this issue? Well, if you find the DT Ignite app in your list of installed apps – you can disable it and it should not be a problem anymore. You can only uninstall the app if you have a rooted device – another reason why you should root your phone and another reason why mobile carriers frown on the process.
VIA: Android Authority / Reddit