Can you spot the missing app in my home screen?

Enough is enough. Today I removed the Facebook app from my Nexus 4, because this is not fair. This application should not need to ask for so many different and broad permissions to run.

I’m not saying I’m leaving Facebook — I will keep on having a look from time to time, but using their webapp or from the desktop.

In case you are interested, here is the full list of actions that the Facebook app can do in your Android device (list updated 29 January 2014 from the Google Play store) — I’ve bolded the most relevant pieces for me.

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This app has access to these permissions

Your accounts:

• find accounts on the device
• create accounts and set passwords
• add or remove accounts

Your location:

• precise location (GPS and network-based)
• approximate location (network-based)

Your messages:

• read your text messages (SMS or MMS)

Network communication:

• view network connections
• receive data from Internet
• full network access
• change network connectivity
• download files without notification

view Wi-Fi connections:

• connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi

Your personal information:

• read calendar events plus confidential information
• add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owners’ knowledge
• read your own contact card

Phone calls:

• directly call phone numbers
• read phone status and identity

Storage:

• modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

System tools:

• install shortcuts
• test access to protected storage
• send sticky broadcast
• read battery statistics

Your applications information:

• run at startup
• retrieve running apps
• reorder running apps

Camera:

• take pictures and videos

Other Application UI:

• draw over other apps

Microphone:

• record audio

Your social information:

• write call log
• read your contacts
• modify your contacts
• read call log

Affects battery:

• prevent device from sleeping
• control vibration

Audio settings:

• change your audio settings

Status bar:

• expand/collapse status bar

Sync Settings:

• toggle sync on and off
• read sync settings

Wallpaper:

• set wallpaper
• adjust your wallpaper size