Loopt App Spams Your Contacts Via SMS

[Edward Kirk]

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While the majority of complaints about apps so far have been regarding minor technical problems like occasional crashing, one application hasn't been so harmless. Loopt, one of the most publicized applications in the app store, goes through your list of contacts and automatically spams all of them with an SMS invite to everyone on your contacts list, without so much as notifying you that it would be doing so, or asking permission, as soon as you start the app.<!--break-->

Needless to say, quite a few people are getting pretty <a href="http://tastyblogsnack.com/2008/07/14/the-loopt-debacle/" target="_blank">upset</a> about this. After all, it can create a lot of problems if you're phone sends an SMS invite to someone you're no longer communicating with, your boss, etc.

As a precautionary measure, we suggest that for the time being you <em>do not</em> download and install Loopt. If you have already installed it, delete it without opening it (hold down on any app icon until they begin to wiggle; locate the Loopt app, and tap on the "x" on the corner of it's icon).

<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13544_3-9990088-35.html?hhTest=1" target="_blank">CNET</a> has mentioned how Loopt could prove to be a conflict of privacy, in that it gives all of your contacts in the Loopt social network the ability to track your iPhone, and therefore you, at all times.</div>

[iswenson]

thats wonderful... is there a way to disable it from sending texts on its own?

[bboyredcel]

I recently downloaded Loopt yesterday and it sent the SMS to my contacts. TODAY I got an email saying that someone tried to log into my PayPal account unsuccessfully several hundred times and that my account was locked and suspended as a result.

The only thing that I can think of is that one of the apps I downloaded and submitted my email to tried to login to my paypal account using the username and password I used to register for their service (Good thing my financial services and computer use a highly random and complicated password). Now, seeing this. I wouldnt be surprised if it was Loopt.

[iswenson]

wow dude thats pretty serious. maybe all these sweet new apps aren't so great after all. haha

[Evan488]

Hi from Loopt!

We apologize for the confusion and unintended invites, but we want to let everyone know that the this issue has been fixed. We hope you'll continue to use Loopt and provide us with feedback.

Just so you know, here is what happened:

When you clicked the 'Who's on Loopt' button, all of your contacts that are current Loopt users were auto-selected to receive invites. A total count of people receiving invites appeared at the bottom of the screen. However, we have since disabled that functionality due to customer feedback and confusion. We are working on an improved invite flow that will include an invite confirmation screen that will be released very soon.

Again, our bad and we apologize for the confusion. If you have any further concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to email (support@loopt.com) us.

Thanks!
Loopt

[allenhuffman]

For real? Mine had me go through and check off the ones I wanted to invite, and I haven't heard a thing back from anyone else -- seems I would have it it spammed 100+ numbers in my address book.

As to posting your address, sure, if you enable that, it does. It's an option in the Settings for Loopts. ("Location Updating | ON/OFF").

If it's truly doing all the under the hood in spite of settings, that's pretty bad.

[imagine engine]

Spamming all the contacts in a user list with out prior notification to the user of the iPhone is not appropriate and surprised Apple did not test the app before allowing it to be added to the App Store. The iPhone user should have the option at time of install to select who they want to add to their Loopt contact list.

[CosmicSquirt]

This never happened to me when I used it, and that was like 2 days ago. It asked me if I wanted to invite 5 of my friends that were using the same service and that was it. No one has even texted me back or anything about getting messages from me. Just wanted to share my experience.

[* whats up with that]

Somehow the invite went to my ex girlfriend...she hasn't stopped calling. She thinks I am tracking her now...this app is f'd up, and now I am to.

[*f*ed UP]

Somehow the invite went to my ex girlfriend...she hasn't stopped calling. She thinks I am tracking her now...this app is f'd up, and now I am to.


Dude, what up with having the ex in your phone anyway? You should know better. Women always snoop and you need to be more careful player.

[Vincent]

Dudes at Loopt... this is so wrong, I can't tell you how much I hate stuff like this!!!

[*javaGuru]

Dudes at Loopt... this is so wrong, I can't tell you how much I hate stuff like this!!!

I read the post from loopt about this being fixed but have they actually released the fix for this? I would like to try it again if it has been fixed.

[NickSivo]

I read the post from loopt about this being fixed but have they actually released the fix for this? I would like to try it again if it has been fixed.

The behavior was changed 2 hours after it was brought to our attention. Contacts have not been automatically selected since Friday night, July 11th.

See http://getsatisfaction.com/loopt/topics/mass_invite_on_iphone_bug_or_user_error

[Stephen007]

This could have been (past tense since it's been 'fixed') a big issue from a billing perspective. Now that SMS is no longer included in the plan there are those like me that pay the ala carte rate for text messages... 20 cents per message I think. I can't imagine having my phone send 10, 20 or 100 SMSs without my knowledge & I have to pay for them.

[WatersWest]

Yea, like THAT is what I want ... my boss tracking me at any given moment!! No Way!! I definitely will NOT be getting THIS app!!

[*asanyal]

I'm Amanda and I work with Loopt. We just updated our blog with more information about this issue, take a look here: http://loopt.typepad.com/loopt/2008/07/sorry-everyone.html

[rhazelrigg]

I smell a class-action.

[Kevin Dunahee]

Imagine Engine pointed this out and I wondered the same. How did Apple miss this? Is the quality check that loose cut? I wondered how several of those trash apps got in the app store but this seems to explain it. I'm not saying that Loopt is a trash app because personal experience tells me otherwise. I think it's a great, thought out application but how does something like automated-texting-sprees slip through? Ick.

[Unregistered]

Hi, it's Amanda with Loopt again --

Loopt has released an update to fix this issue. More details can be found here: http://loopt.typepad.com/loopt/2008/07/get-new-version.html