How it works
A copy-cat app looks like a real app but is not.
It has tells, parts that do not look right.
An app should ask only for what its job needs.
If you are not sure, allow nothing and ask a grown-up to check.
Worked examples
Hana's copy
- The icon was almost the real one, but tilted.
- The name had strange letters and rows of numbers.
- It asked for a camera, a microphone and contacts, had no stars and promised free coins.
- All five tells at once, so Hana stopped and asked.
Tomas's flashlight app
- A flashlight app asked for his contacts and his microphone.
- A flashlight only needs to shine, not to listen.
- That one big tell was enough to ask.
- He showed his mom, who took it off.
The real app
- Uncle Femi searched for the app the school note named.
- It had a plain name, thousands of stars and the same maker as the note.
- It asked only to save pictures, which fits a coloring app.
- A grown-up still decides what an app may use.