Discovery android app's CRAZY permissions

[Zagor]

I have Discovery Health's android app installed and it recently indicated that it needed to be updated. So for some reason I decided to check the "permissions" I was granting it (I normally just click to accept and update). Well, it was crazy what they were asking for - completely unnecessary and it appears to be targeted at collecting my personal information! It was asking to:

Read phone status and identity - and directly call phone numbers
Modify your contacts, read call log, read your contacts, write call log
Take pictures and video
Find accounts on the device, read Google service configuration

There are a number of other permissions but the above just simply appear to be gratuitous in every way - I mean, why do I need to give permission for the app to be able to use my camera to take pictures and video! And why could they POSSIBLY want to "modify your contacts, read call log, read your contacts, write call log"!!!!

Have I missed something? Is this request by the app reasonable!?!

 

[Oreomitch]

Read phone status and identity - and directly call phone numbers
- Probably to invoke the dialler from the app

Modify your contacts, read call log, read your contacts, write call log
- Probably search for dependents contact number

Take pictures and video
- To scan statements for claims

Find accounts on the device, read Google service configuration
- Probably for Push notifications

 

[herbertk]

I have Discovery Health's android app installed and it recently indicated that it needed to be updated. So for some reason I decided to check the "permissions" I was granting it (I normally just click to accept and update). Well, it was crazy what they were asking for - completely unnecessary and it appears to be targeted at collecting my personal information! It was asking to:

Read phone status and identity - and directly call phone numbers
Modify your contacts, read call log, read your contacts, write call log
Take pictures and video
Find accounts on the device, read Google service configuration

There are a number of other permissions but the above just simply appear to be gratuitous in every way - I mean, why do I need to give permission for the app to be able to use my camera to take pictures and video! And why could they POSSIBLY want to "modify your contacts, read call log, read your contacts, write call log"!!!!

Have I missed something? Is this request by the app reasonable!?!

I know in emergency situations, ER24 etc can see your details from the app, it also has an emergency call option if I am not mistaken and it will send you location information for assitance.