Privacy Sentry Corp., a firm that provides security software for mobile devices, today announced an update to its SpyAware app for Android.

SpyAware 1.5 shows Android users which apps are transmitting data, how much and what data is taken, and where the data is being sent. In short, the company wants to enable users to “spy on the apps that spy on them.”

The upgrade includes live notifications that pinpoint specific threats and includes a map highlighting where apps are sending the data they collect.

“We’re tired of seeing people’s private information pirated from their phone, whether for profit to sell to data collectors or a hacker with bad intentions,” said Craig Spiegelberg, founder and CEO of Privacy Sentry, creator of the SpyAware app in a statement.  “Our goal is to provide tools that reveal the hidden activities of mobile devices, give users control over their private information and ultimately allow them to dictate the terms of data sharing.”

SpyAware, once installed, requires 24 hours to populate its rolling Threat Report that pinpoints apps that gather user data and/or engage in risky permissions. Risky permissions, as defined by Privacy Sentry, are permissions unnecessary for the app to function, including location, conversations, text messages, pictures, and contacts.

The app ranks apps in a color-coded hierarchy, with red being the biggest violators of user privacy, followed by yellow and then green.  SpyAware highlights apps that collect data while idle, continuously monitors GPS locations and sends data to known high-risk third-parties.

Along with a slew of granular data, SpyAware also shows users exactly where an app sent their data on a handy map interface. A simple click on the map location reveals information about the host that received the user’s data.

While granular app permissions are coming – it’s a rumored feature included in Google’s upcoming Android M – users of SpyAware at least have a few tools at their disposal to protect their privacy.

Should users find an app violates their privacy, they can report said app to the FCC directly from within SpyAware. Harnessing the power of social media, SpyAware encourages users to share suspect or unacceptable app behavior across platforms like Twitter and Facebook in the hope that raising public awareness will lead to app developers changing their policies and behavior.

SpyAware also enables users to write evidence-based app reviews on the Google Play Store which should inform others of potential risks and ultimately dissuade users from installing risky apps.

SpyAware is available as a free download from Google Play.

Image credit: dynamosquito via Flickr