Contact list protection ? why do apps have free access?

applications have the ability to harvest private contact lists on iPhone/iPod and Android devices. There's no protection, no prompt, nothing. You get prompts for geo-localization, push notification, but nothing for the private contact list.
http://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/29/studyfinds_14_of_free_iphone_apps_can_snoopcontacts.html
http://blog.mylookout.com/2010/07/introducing-the-app-genome-project/
http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=623034
is there any technical issue to protect the contact list from applications... ie related to the syncing with related email accounts contact lists? just wondering... I don't want to rely on the integrity of application makers. I want a native lock on the device, a prompt to allow or deny access. Why isn't it there?
I want to rely on iPhone/iPod security, is that possible?
thanks.
<Edited by Host>

it took this to happen ... about a year later ...
http://democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Letter_C ook_02.15.12.pdf

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