Most of us are not aware but sadly, this is exactly what is happening and
someone thinks this is normal.
Smartphone apps are tracking you and selling your location data, an invasion of
privacy that is happening without many users knowing about it.
User privacy has become one of the major issues in the digital age, but is
there really a way to protect yourself?
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal Smartphone location data is
being sold and traded, often without a user’s knowledge.
This means that whenever you authorize an app to access your location, there
is a risk that data will be shared with agencies for use in location-aware
advertising.
Users should know that every time they allow an app to track their location,
they may also be allowing that app to sell their location data. The information
is purchased by advertisers and used for initiatives such as
“location-aware advertising,” which serves ads to users depending on
where they are. The location data is considered very valuable by marketers, as
$16 billion were spent on location-targeted ads last year – which amounts to
about 40% of all mobile ad spending.
What is The Way Out?
The only way out is to deactivate location services. Sadly, this is easier
said than done. Some of the world’s most popular apps will not work without
being able to track the user’s locations.
In addition, turning off location services may not protect you completely,
as carriers can still track where you are through the cell towers that you are
connected to and a smartphone’s MAC address can still be picked up by open
Wi-Fi hotspots.
Obviously, there is nothing we can do about it for now.
I actually make use of the location services in most app like oga taxi abd taxify. There's no way out for me.
wow, they made so much from it last year. well said prof, turning off location is easier said than done sadly.
That's sad prof
Infact most apps won't work until ur location is turned on. I authorize them to sell my loations for whoever needs it… i care less
There is fake GPS app also on playstore
My location is always turned off…
I don't care though
Oh God help us all.
No privacy again….
there no way out for this
This is one of the reasons why i don't turn on location on my phone
Well as for me I have never turned on my location service on mah phone, if not xender dats demanding it when ever I'm receiving a file but after that I put it off ASAP… My privacy matters alot #smiles. Thank Prof for throwing more light on location service
But prof i suppose a good vpn should be able to prevent this right?
And one more thing. I usually turn off location services/gps on my phone but it seems to turn itself back on automatically. Its consuming my battery. Pls help me if u can
After reading dis,I now believe everyone is #OYO
Hmm, couldn't agree with you more prof. Nowadays there's no way xender app on android will work without putting on location service first. So they've been selling us out all along.
Prof, can the use of VPN help?
Just turned off Location Sharing for all the apps on my phone. any app that need access will be reviewed before I give permission. Hmmm
Mine is always off.
What I don't know won't kill me.
I always turned my off on give no permission