It doesn’t seem like it. With the way technology is improving, it’s getting easier for outsiders to get your data. Almost every site and app wants to know your location. At what cost does this cost to you?
The majority of mobile phone users surveyed for a report by the University of California, Berkeley, said that they didn’t like the idea of other people accessing the information stored on their mobile phones. But many people already provide access to their information such as their location on their phones to carriers and apps without even knowing.
The truth is smart phones can track your every move. According to Apple, the feature helps your device and third party apps, like any maps you might use on your phone, to use information from cellular, WiFi, and GPS to determine your location.
Marketers want to find more ways to keep track of consumers. If you’re close to a particular store, they want to be able to have ads that pop up on your mobile device and get you to come in. “All of this information about who you are, where you go, what locations you frequent, those are being sold to advertising firms, large corporations that might be interested in your personal data,” explained attorney Rob Sanders.
There are times when location services can be good; while using GPS, the find my iPhone feature, or for apps that help you find food, stores or coupons in your area.
Personally, it doesn’t bother me because I’m always using my GPS or need to find places near me. I haven’t come across being directly targeted while in a store, yet. The major concern would be when outsiders are collecting personal data such as private information or where you frequent.
It would be great if we could know exactly what data is being collected and also give permission to be tracked (other than by location). The FCC is also trying to get mobile privacy regulated but they haven’t quite come to a decision yet.
When downloading apps or posting on social media, it is also a good idea to take a look at their privacy policy so that you’re aware of what data they’re collecting from you.
If you don’t want to be tracked based on location, there is something that you can do on your smart phone as well:
-Go to settings
-Privacy
-Location services
-System services
-Frequent locations
There you can find every place you’ve been in detail. To turn it off, slide it to “off.”
To read more, check out:
Smart Phones Tracking Your Every Move
Microsoft Disables Do Not Track
Group asks FCC to make websites honor do-not-track requests
Victorri J. Taylor 