Tag Archives: geolocation data

Increased Scrutiny on Notice and Choice for Use of AD Profiling, Especially Using Mobile Location Data

Are you an app publisher or do you advertise via mobile apps or obtain marketing data that originates from them? If so, you need to beware that regulators and consumer protection authorities are taking action against companies with regard to the notice and choice, or lack thereof, they are providing to consumers for the collection … Continue Reading

2014 Mobile Privacy and Security Trends and What to Look for in 2015

By Fernando A. Bohorquez, Jr. and Jenna N. Felz on January 23, 2015 Posted in Mobile Privacy

Most analysts and commentators agree that 2014 was the year mobile reached a tipping point. With over 1 billion mobile smartphones in circulation, 2014 marked the first year that mobile Internet usage surpassed desktop use in the U.S. This trend will continue as users spend more time on mobile apps than on the Web. Mobile … Continue Reading

#Ubergate Makes Plain That Privacy Cannot Be a Passing Thought for Start-Ups

By Fernando A. Bohorquez, Jr. and Jenna N. Felz on November 26, 2014 Posted in Information Security, Online Privacy

The long-brewing behind-the-scenes tensions of privacy, big data, and mobile finally came to a head last week in the public relations disaster known as #Ubergate. Uber’s meteoric rise to the pinnacle of the rideshare start-up economy has been fueled in part by its collection and usage of sensitive consumer geolocation information. An Uber executive’s recent … Continue Reading

Online Privacy and Data Security Legislation Update — 2011 Year in Review

By Craig A. Hoffman on December 28, 2011 Posted in Children’s Privacy, Cybersecurity, Federal Legislation, Online Privacy

The end of 2010 featured the Department of Commerce citing the need for a Privacy Bill of Rights in its green paper and the FTC's preliminary online privacy report discussing the need for a Do Not Track mechanism. The momentum generated by these reports led to the introduction of multiple versions of Do Not Track and comprehensive privacy rights bills in early 2011. By mid-2011, at least five different data security and breach notification proposals were circulating in the wake of high profile data breaches. Reports about location based tracking led to the introduction of geolocation privacy and surveillance bills. Proposed amendments to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and Video Privacy Protection Act were also made. And by the end of 2011, several cybersecurity bills designed to protect critical infrastructure had been introduced. Even though Congress held hearings on privacy issues, subcommittees approved several bills, and there was support from the Obama administration for comprehensive privacy legislation, as many expected, however, none of these bills were enacted when the first session of the 112th Congress adjourned December 18. The safe prediction for 2012 is more of the same--a lot of proposals but no consensus. It is certainly possible that another high profile data breach or cyberattack against a utility or government contractor could create enough urgency to force a consensus. However, numerous high profile breaches (Epsilon, Sony, Citi, RSA, Lockheed Martin and several health care providers), hactivist attacks against government security contractors (IRC Federal and HBGary), and reports about how the "weaponized" Stuxnet virus caused centrifuges in an Iranian nuclear facility to spin wildly out of control were not enough in 2011. We certainly expect to see data breach notification, comprehensive privacy, and cybersecurity bills addressed again in 2012. We may also see narrower bills aimed at online and location based tracking as well as Children's privacy. Emerging technology, including mobile payments and facial recognition, may also garner legislative attention. Below is a round-up of the 2011 privacy and data security legislative proposals, including links to more detailed analysis from our blog posts during the year.… Continue Reading

Mobile App and Geolocation Data Roundup

By Craig A. Hoffman on May 25, 2011 Posted in Behavioral Advertising, Children’s Privacy, Mobile Privacy

A recent national survey of smartphone users, not surprisingly, revealed that privacy, transparency, choice, and control are important considerations for users. Indeed, many users indicated that they want more choices and easier access to controls regarding advertising tracking and geolocation data. Legislators and consumer advocacy groups are taking heed. On May 10, 2011, the Senate … Continue Reading