One of the problems with the Android Market (Google’s app store for Android) is the lack of app moderation. Tons of fake apps are uploaded on a daily basis, and are usually only pulled when apps are found to be malicious or infringing on copyrights but it usually takes awhile to happen. One of the latest apps to join this “fake app” bandwagon comes from a developer called “Official App” which is no doubt designed to fool inexperienced Android users. The “developer” recently put up an app called Siri on the Android Market, fooling people into thinking it’s the real thing.
While there are numerous Siri clones already available on the Market, this “Siri” app doesn’t even try. When you download the app, all you’re getting is a shortcut to launch Google Voice Actions – a feature that’s already available on most Android devices and can be launched by holding down the search key.
However, despite just being a shortcut, the app does have access to your location, full internet access, the ability to read your contact data, and modify your storage. And while we haven’t heard any reports of malicious activities performed by the app, you can never be too careful. Hopefully Google looks into this matter, in the meantime we’d advise you to check out other alternatives to Siri like Vlingo or Iris.