Android May Redirect Your Outgoing SMS MessagesAndroid May Redirect Your Outgoing SMS Messages

Every modern day OS has its share of bugs and they range from the mildly irritating to critical security holes that demand a quick patch. Android seems to have one that can change, unbeknownst to you, the recipient of a text message you are sending.If you check out the Android Forum at Google's site, you'll see 1,251 comments (as of this post) by Android users and programmers dealing with this issue. The first post was June 28, 2010, or just over six months ago and is as follows:

Just perusing through the thread there doesn't seem to be anything in common with the users other than they are running Android. It doesn't seem to be limited to a particular build, a particular device or even a particular manufacturer. As noted above, the first post was based on the only Android device Google itself ever built - the Nexus One.

While the issue is six months old, Google has apparently done little to nothing about it. I am sure the recent media attention will drive them to fix it, but the question is, why wasn't this red-flagged very early on? Best case scenario having your SMS message sent to the wrong recipient in your address book is just annoying. Worst case, it can be very embarrassing, causing problems at work, at home or with friends.

Be careful who you trash-talk about or about sending sensitive information with Android until this is sorted out. You just might be surprised at who will be reading the message.