Part of the applications you use regularly on your iPhone records your geographical position, for various reasons. A current practice which today raises serious questions following the publication ofA joint investigation carried out by the newspaper Wiredand its partners.
The investigation reveals that Datastream, an American company, markets theLocation datasoldiers and agents of secret service on mission abroad. This information comes from mobile applications that have signed agreements witha Lithuanian company that claims to have specialized in advertising. Faced with the scale of the scandal, American senator Ron Wyden demanded explanations from Datastream.
A well -established system with questionable practices
The geolocation data collected by part of the applications are not only used to improve your user experience. Many developers integrate monitoring tools in exchange forRevenue sharing agreements with advertising agencies, dontSome may actually be specialized espionage services. These companies can then resell your data to third parties, sometimes without the team of developers is informed.
Imagine, you are at the head of an application, and we offer a good jackpot to sell the data of your users, especially since the salespeople who offer this kind of exchange have solid arguments to convince the owner of the 'app that it is legal and that it is a very easy additional source of income, there is just to tell your developer to set up the monitoring of users, without necessarily telling him why.
The survey shows that Eskimi, a Lithuanian company, provided this sensitive information in Datastream. The latter was able toprecisely identify the movements of American soldiers,especially onGerman air bases supposed to house nuclear weapons. A simple analysis of data by location makes it possible to easily identify sensitive military zones and their occupants.
Generalized surveillance that does not stop in the military world
The problem is not limited to military data alone. Zach Edwards, cybersecurity analyst at Silent Push, confirms that many advertising companies are actually disguised surveillance companies. You may think only a few applications are affected, butGiants like Waze or Starbucks have already been pinnedFor having sold location data to the American police.
Experts request stricter legislation prohibiting the resale of sensitive information. In the meantime, they adviseRegularly check the authorizations granted to your applications and to deactivate geolocationWhen it is not essential.
This affair is reminiscent of the time whenAn advertising agency admitted listening to user conversations for advertising purposes.
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