Dozens of iPhone apps constantly sending location data to data monetization companies

According to a group of security researchers called GuardianApp, dozens of popular iPhone applications share location data from millions of mobile devices with third-party data monetization companies. TechCrunch).

The applications in question are for the most part news, weather and fitness applications requiring access to location data to work properly, but they are then shared to earn money.

According to security researchers, applications send accurate location data and other sensitive customers to data monetization companies "at any time, permanently," sometimes without customers being informed about the collection of location data. . The information is used for purposes such as creating databases for ad targeting.

The researchers used tools to monitor network traffic to discover applications collecting Bluetooth LE data, GPS longitude and latitude, WiFi SSIDs, accelerometer information, battery charge percentage,

While apps say that personally identifiable information is not included in the data collection, one of the researchers, Will Strafach, said: TechCrunch Latitude and longitude coordinates can provide information about a person's home or work. Many customers who agree to provide location data to applications may not be aware of the extent of information collected and shared.

Applications that collect location information and send it to data monetization companies include ASKfm, NOAA Weather Radar, Homes.com, Perfect365, C25K 5K Trainer, Marketplace 2.0, GasBuddy, Photobucket, Roadtrippers, Tapatalk, and more. full list available on the site.

The data is sent to companies that include Reveal, Sense360, Cuebiq, Teemo, Mobiquity and Fysical. These companies denied wrongdoing, suggested that customers withdraw at any time, and said developers should inform customers of the data collection.

Some of the applications in question have clear data collection notices when they open for the first time, but data monetization companies do not ensure that applications follow disclosure policies and not all.

"None of these companies seem to be legally responsible for its claims and practices, but rather for a kind of self-regulation that it claims to apply," Strafach said.

IPhone users who want to prevent their location data from being shared with data monetization companies should be wary of third-party applications that they install and use location services. Limit ad tracking in privacy settings by going to Privacy> Advertising is recommended.

GuardianApp also suggests users to use a generic name for router SSID and disable the Bluetooth feature when Bluetooth is not used.