WhatsApp and the problem of applications that install stickers

There are not many applications capable of arousing as many passions as WhatsApp. In fact, it is one of the makers of the popularity of smartphones, because everyone wanted a mobile only for that. send WhatsApps. And now that the stickers have arrived at the application, it makes sense that this way of communicating triumphs: everyone wants to send stickers.

The stickers or stickers They arrived on WhatsApp after months of development and leaks. They did it with a small collection built into the application; and with the ability to add new stickers in a very simple way: install new applications.

WhatsApp chose the easiest way to let developers exploit the new features without exercising any kind of control in terms of content, control or security; yes, he maintains some recommendations. Applications do not compromise the email application since they only add images to the format of the WhatsApp library. PNG or WEBP. The risk of applications containing these stickers is very different.

Beware of permissions of applications that install WhatsApp permissions

As a general rule, after reviewing most of the popular apps related to the subject, they do not abuse permissions, thus limiting access to storage (to store stickers) and, at best, l '# 39; Internet access. print ads on the screen As a general rule, since I've found examples of apps that they will ask for permits, like that of the capture you have above.

It is so easy to "force" the user to add unnecessary permissions that it is not surprising that some developers take advantage of it. At the end of the day, the person looking for stickers is not interested in discovering what permissions the application asks it brings the stickers, at least in a general way. Imagine the Trojan horse that you can become, for example, to introduce Trojans on smartphones.

Opening the door to apps has been a huge carelessness. Not because it involves a serious security risk for WhatsApp itself, but because a large part of the audience he does not know what he's installing. Just to see that it brings the images that we like and that we will know that we can send them with a click, enough. The data theft and the advertising infection are secondary.

Excessive ads, lack of privacy … Applications with stickers can be a risk

WhatsApp should change the way stickers are installed and distributed. It is true that with the applications, the process is democratized, but it is also true that with the gigantic reach of the messaging application, It's a very big temptation for those who have no qualms about developing applications.

What should you consider before installing a new sticker package on WhatsApp?

Alerting the problems involved in any matter involves finding the best ways to avoid the risks. The first would be obvious: do not install any sticker packages. But this is not the case either: they not only add a great way to customize WhatsAppThey should not cause problems if applications are used wisely.

Installing new stickers is not bad, you just have to pay attention to what you download

In the absence of a repository administered by WhatsApp in which anyone can download his drawings for users to add with a few keystrokes (Telegram is much more advanced at this point), here is what you should consider before installing new applications. ; stickers:

• Always watch for permissions before downloading anything from Google Play., be new stickers for WhatsApp or any other application. Do not trust when they go beyond petitions (with "Another reason: access to networks and the Internet"It's more than enough.
• Make sure these are the stickers you want. If you do not use them, uninstall the application.
• Do frequent cleaning of stickers applications and use only those you like the most.
• Keep in mind that when you also delete an application the stickers disappear. WhatsApp should solve this problem: once the stickers are installed, the application must be able to be removed.