Forced apps after Software Update

[mlandsburgh]

Absolutely disgusted by Three's latest money-grabbing scheme that forces game downloads after a Software Update.

As has happened with all software updates in recent months, when the latest Samsung/Android update happened this morning, Three forced me to review app suggestions.

I was irritated but expecting that, so went into it, unticked everything, and was about to Confirm, when I realised 3 apps didn’t have a box to untick and were called "essentials".

Sure enough, when I closed that menu, MistPlay, Solitaire, and Blackjack were slowly installed.

I immediately held their icons and uninstalled them again.

I have been carefully managing my storage and I have been avoiding new games for my mental wellbeing (to minimise screen time and distractions). It's annoying being asked about apps every update, but I can handle it. Being FORCED to take apps I don't want (presumably because Three gets a cut of the ad money) is horrendous customer service.

3 lessons for Three...

1. Stop forcing people to review games every software update - it's a stressor for people with limited digital skills.

2. Never force games and payment based apps onto people's phones. You are legitimising apps that look like scams (even if these 3 weren't) and are just asking for people to be harmed when they unwittingly get into difficulty.

3. I manage my storage. I manage what I need my phone for. Get your mits off my phone content 🤬

[Oldandtired]

Thank you 😊 (more characters...)

[Oldandtired]

We have an S20 and an S23.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Then I can only refer you to the replies given by our forum moderator @JonathanB stating that this is likely to be  a Samsung issue which apparently happens on other networks as well as Three. I’m  sorry not to give you a more helpful answer. 

[aidanapword]

Except it isn't.

I use an Honor phone on 3 and the same thing is being driven, and by Three extensions to the OS.

[Oldandtired]

The exact same thing happens to me and I absolutely hate it.

 I do not want apps I haven't consented to being forced into my phone, without me having turned off tracking cookies for a start. Some apps throw out thousands of tracking attempts every time you open them. Why would I allow a company to do that without my consent?

It's an invasion of my privacy. I want to decide what goes on my phone. Surely that's my right as a consumer.

This time it didn't even get to the uncheck boxes stage - there was just suddenly a random game on my phone. Same thing happened to my partner a couple of days later, though that phone got 2 new apps, and they were different than mine. 

At the same time (may or may not be related) a bunch of my privacy settings were changed and the government emergency alert can no longer be turned off (with a bonus 'can read sms messages') with it. 

[Anonymous]

Referring to an earlier post can I please ask what handset you’re using?

[JonathanB]

Hi @mlandsburgh,

It's my understanding that this is a Samsung feature. If you search online for terms like Samsung suggested apps you'll see this occurs on Samsung devices from a number of service providers in various countries.

I'll happily pass your feedback on, but I'm not aware of this having any connection to Three's services.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[23895]

Really! A samsung issue you say. So how then is it only happening with a three update. Please explain, i'm puzzled about this.

[Juice]

Stop the lies @JonathanB. The app that suggests the apps is a Three app, there's absolutely no doubt about it. Every bit of it looks like the Three website. You really expect people to believe Samsung would use There's branding, colour scheme and layout for suggested apps? That makes no sense, especially when you consider Samsung HAS IT'S OWN app store.

Three has all the devices purchased from them installed with overlays and software specific to Three (like the Three and Three+ apps) so they most definitely can have this suggested app feature installed on the phones. 

[Anonymous]

Oh for heavens sake people like you look for something to moan about even if there isn’t anything.My daughter is a gamer (on Three) and doesn’t recognise your description of the downloads. If the network “forced” you into a situation you strove to avoid that would be illegal. With absolute respect if you have a problem with gaming or gambling then you need to reach out to other agencies and not blame the messenger.