GAO: Consumers Lack Info About Location Tracking
A new government report suggests that mobile companies fail to adequately explain how they collect and use information about consumers' locations.
For the report, the Government Accountability Office examined the privacy policies of 11 mobile companies, including carriers, operating system developers and app developers. While most disclosed that they collected location data, they didn't "consistently or clearly explain the purposes behind such collection or identify which third parties these data might be shared with," the report says.
Specifically, the GAO found that four of the 11 privacy policies said that companies collected "personal information," but didn't say whether that included location data.
Most of the policies also said that location data can be shared with third parties, but only some companies specified that they were referring to app developers and advertisers; the rest described third parties as "others" or "trusted businesses."
"Because companies have not made clear and consistent disclosures about how they use and share location data, consumers may be unaware which third parties are using their location data (or that third parties are using it at all)," the report says. "Users lack sufficient information to adequately judge whether they should trust those companies with their personal information."
The GAO recommended that the Federal Trade Commission consider issuing guidance about mobile location data privacy. The report also said the National Telecommunications & Information Administration -- which has been holding meetings about mobile privacy since July -- should develop goals and time frames for creating a code of conduct.
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who requested the report, said it showed that legislation is needed in this area. "This report clearly shows that mobile industry companies often fail to respect that right, giving out consumers’ location data without their knowledge or explicit consent," he stated.
Franken unveiled a bill last year that would require companies to obtain users' consent before collecting location data or sharing the information with third parties.
Recent Online Media Daily Articles
-
Consumer Action: Most Web Users Want Control Over Tracking June 18, 8:20 p.m.
Most Web users have expectations about privacy that appear to be at odds with current practices ... -
Affiliate Channels Attract Global Buying, Tailored Marketing Programs June 18, 5:54 p.m.
The Internet continues to make the world smaller for affiliate marketers, but there are physical challenges ... -
Microsoft Rolls Out Ad Pano, Mobile Ad Format June 18, 3:03 p.m.
With the help of the broader ad industry, Microsoft this week is rolling out a mobile ... -
Kiip Debuts Self-Serve Option For Advertisers June 18, 2:23 p.m.
Mobile rewards network Kiip has added a self-serve option for advertisers aimed at attracting more small- and medium-sized ... -
Mindshare Taps Elkins As Managing Director, Digital, West Coast June 18, 1:51 p.m.
Mindshare, part of WPP's GroupM, has tapped digital marketing veteran Amy Elkins to be managing director, ... -
Blogging Stake: WPP Invests In Muzy June 18, 9:12 a.m.
WPP has taken a stake in Muzy Inc., an early-stage micro-blogging service focused on mobile content ... -
MSN, Newsy Partnership To Debut June 18, 7:40 a.m.
MSN on Tuesday is expected to announce a partnership with mobile-focused video news network Newsy. Similar to ... -
ZO Shaves Global Ad Outlook: Says Internet, Especially Mobile, Will Be Greatest Growth Engines June 18, 7:34 a.m.
The global ad economy now is expected to expand only 3.5% this year, according to the ... -
Google Enhanced Campaigns Increase Cost Per Click June 18, 12:05 a.m.
Search advertisers will need to learn how to compensate for rising costs per click as Google ... -
Publicis Groupe's VivaKi Influences Mass Relevance Social Road Map June 17, 9 p.m.
VivaKi Ventures has gained input into Mass Relevance's product road map to influence features and functions ...
Be the first to comment on "GAO: Consumers Lack Info About Location Tracking"
Leave a Comment