Storm8 sued for stealing wireless numbers with all their games

ManaByte · Nov 6, 2009

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/05/iphone-game-dev-accu.html

Iphone game developer Storm8 exploited an "electronic backdoor" to learn the phone numbers of players, according to a class action lawsuit filed in San Francisco.

Filed on behalf of Lynnwood, WA resident Michael Turner, the suit claims that the practice is not authorized by Apple and involves the execution of "malicious software code."

"Storm8 has written the software for all its games in such a way that it automatically accesses, collects, and transmits the wireless telephone number of each iPhone user who downloads any Storm8 game," the suit alleges. " ... Storm8, though, has no reason whatsoever to access the wireless phone numbers of the iPhones on which its games are installed."

Storm8 makes popular multiplayer games such as iMobsters and Vampires Live, available in both free and paid versions for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Its titles allow players to spend money in-game to acquire better weapons and other competitive advantages.

The number farming was not disclosed to players until an acknowledgement in August that described it as a "bug." The lawsuit claims that only "very specific and specialized software code" could do so, however, and seeks injunctive relief and damages.

Update: Storm8 hasn't returned inquiries.
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DaveMc99 · Nov 6, 2009

http://gizmodo.com/5370323/iphone-app-developer-jacks-your-phone-number-to-pitch-you-more-apps

Swiss software firm Mogo has a novel strategy, for iPhone apps! Step one: Release a free version of your paid app. Step two: Use it to secretly steal users' phone numbers. Step three: Call them, obnoxiously. Step four: Profit!
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goldglover411 · Nov 6, 2009

wow thats really low

Aurora · Nov 6, 2009

Those games are total garbage anyways, don't know why so many people even bother with them, let alone spend time and money on them. -.-';

Dylan1696 · Nov 6, 2009

Sneaky!

Freeway82 · Nov 6, 2009

That's really low, honestly.

Storm8 sued for stealing wireless numbers with all their games

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Storm8 sued for stealing wireless numbers with all their games

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