A few months back, it was revealed that several major iPhone apps, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, were sending users' data to their servers -- without notifying them. Thankfully, after that debacle, Apple began requiring all app developers to get "explicit" permission before accessing a user's info, but for those of you who want to find out whether or not your apps are still sneaking around behind your back, well ... now, there's an app for that.
Released on May 22 by antivirus software vendor Bitdefender, Clueful claims to be "the world's first and only app" that lets iOS device users discover which apps may be accessing data -- such as their location, address book and even social network accounts -- that they don't have permission to view.
"App developers can ask for, and receive, access to your precise location, your contact list and more information about you when you install their products on your iPhone," said Alexandru Catalin Cosoi, a chief security researcher at Bitdefender, in a press release. "Your iPhone is probably the most personal device you own, holding vast amounts of information about what you do, who you are and where you go. Clueful tells you what kinds of private information apps can and do access so you can make an informed decision whether to use them."
In addition, Clueful will show you which of your apps may be draining your battery, blasting you with ads, tracking your usage through different networks and more; you can even filter Clueful's list by which apps track your location, which can read your address book, etc. As CNET points out, you can also use Clueful to research what information an app may be able to access before purchasing it from the App Store. Check out a screenshot of the app in action below.
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According to TechCrunch, the Clueful app is able to do all of this through the "Clueful Cloud," which Bitdefender created by testing tens of thousands of apps and then developing a database revealing information on how each of them works. The "Clueful Cloud" then shares this info with you through the Clueful app.
If you're interested in grabbing the app for yourself, you can purchase it for $3.99 through the App Store. Would you buy the Clueful app? Are you still worried about your app privacy? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!