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Sharing. Hey USMLE World, you’re doing it wrong.

I recently heard a great example of failed sharing. USMLE World is a question bank designed for students preparing for USMLE Step 1. The questions can be viewed through the website or via an iPad. Here is what the iPad version looks like.

The curious bit comes when you look at their iTunes ratings:
They are getting slammed for requesting access to you photos. My sentiments are precisely with the raters, “Why the hell would a question bank need access to my photos?” Here is the explanation from the iTunes description:

NOTE: Users running iOS 6.0 and higher will need to enable access to ‘Photos’ as all screen captures are automatically stored in that section. The application will track the number of stored images only to determine whether screen captures are being performed and stored while a test is being taken or reviewed. Tests will not launch without this access. USMLEWorld does not sample, transfer, or save images at any time. USMLEWorld is committed to ensuring the privacy of all users, and any identifying information will be used only in accordance with the Privacy Policy as outlined on our website.

They are so afraid of their own customers that they spy on the user’s photos stream to make sure they are not taking screen shots of the questions or answers. Absurd. I have heard that when you do take a screenshot you get a very scary message, if anyone has a screen shot of that message I’d love a copy.
Hat Tip John Walton

Update:

A reader of PBFluids, forwarded me an e-mail that came from USMLE World. She used the desktop version and they have the same possessive mentality. Apparently after she took a screen shot she received the following e-mail:

Hi,

Our records indicate that you are having problems accessing the USMLEWorld Software because you have an incompatible application/process running on your computer. Please disable the application before using our software by following the instructions below

If you are using a Mac computer, please follow these instructions:

  1. Exit from the USMLEWorld software completely by closing any open tests and/or by clicking on the close icon (X).
  2. Go to “Mac HD”
  3. Select “Applications”
  4. Click on “Utility” and double click on “Activity Monitor”
  5. Select process ” screencapture”
  6. Click on “Quit Process”.
  7. Close Activity Monitor and “Applications” window and try launching the software again

If you are using a Windows computer, please follow these instructions:

  1. Exit from the USMLEWorld software completely by closing any open tests and/or by clicking on the close icon (X).
  2. Press “Ctrl + Alt + Del”
  3. Select “Task Manager”
  4. Click on “Processes” tab and then locate the incompatible process. Inyour case, ” screencapture”
  5. Select the Process and Hit “End Process” on the bottom.
  6. Close task manager and try launching the software again.

If you are accessing our software from a computer that you do not have sufficient rights on (such as a public terminal at hospital, library, etc), you may need to seek assistance from the computer administrator to resolve this issue or use it from a computer on which you have full administrative rights.

Thank you,

Usmleworld Support

Nuts.