Apparently Google has reached deals with 40 popular Android app makers (e.g. Airbnb, eBay ... various airlines such as easyjet, lufthansa ... car rental companies such as Hertz, even certain newspapers and popular travel booking websites) to keep an eye on what you're doing with those apps as part of its new "Google Now" predictive search service.
Quote from Google's director of product management on
their blog here :
A lot of useful information lives inside apps on your phone, from your favorite music to last-minute hotel deals to home-buying tips. Today, you have two ways to get information from these apps – either remember to constantly open them up and look, or get a notification, which you may forget to act on if it shows up at the wrong time.
Starting today, the Google app on Android can help you keep up with all the good stuff in 40 different apps at a glance – it’ll bring you Now cards to help you out with your day-to-day life, giving you information that’s helpful to you, right when you need it.
Apparently users will be given a chance to grant permission. So Android users, watch out what you say "yes" to ...
Apple users need not worry, Apple's App Security Sandboxing system and strict privacy controls make sure you remain in control. I am just saying that from a technical point of view, I've no desire whatsoever to enter into the old Apple vs Android debate.
(Grrr.... pprune links .... replace the stars pprune put in the link with the word b...l...o..g...s...p...o...t)