![]() ![]() “When consumers are given a real, informed choice, they can decide for themselves whether the benefit of a service is worth the information they must share to use it,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection in a press release. In 2013, the app was deemed “deceptive” by the FTC for failing to “disclose that the app transmitted users’ precise location and unique device identifier to third parties.” And, if you'd appreciate the translation - that's bad. All right, that's a little dramatic, but it's at least partially true for one app: Brightest Flashlight Free. However, what should be a simple app that turns on your flash could be a sinister ploy to get your personal information. The convenience of having a flashlight built in to your phone is undeniable. In short, if you really care about privacy, sticking to the default weather apps on your phone might be the best move. This kind of information is as effective at surmising a user's location as GPS - if not more so. While that (barely reassuring) statement may be true, it conveniently leaves out the fact that AccuWeather also stores, and subsequently sells, wi-fi network information such as your router number and BSSIDs. “Despite stories to the contrary from sources not connected to the actual information, if a user opts out of location tracking on AccuWeather, no GPS coordinates are collected or passed without further opt-in permission from the user,” said AccuWeather in a press release. Its storied history of selling user-data to the highest bidder is well-documented, despite frantic statements defending its practices after the fact. However, as one of the most popular weather apps on the market, AccuWeather's lack of attention to privacy is all the more concerning. Weather apps are found on pretty much every mobile device around the world. ![]() ![]() Because, as the GI Joe famously yelled, “knowing is half the battle!” AccuWeather in privacy storm The apps hungry for your dataīefore you can protect your personal information from seedy apps, you have to know which ones are the worst at keeping your data to themselves. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it. Buried deep within the privacy policies of these popular apps is language that can allow them unmitigated, unhindered, and unusual access to your personal information. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about most of the mobile apps you'll find on your phone. Plenty of notable companies are at least somewhat upfront about their practices. And unfortunately, data-collection can be happening right in your pocket, thanks to the sheer number of apps on your smartphone.ĭata collection has become commonplace in the tech world. And that's little surprise – your data is a marketable asset for anyone willing to collect it. Whether its 20-page privacy policies or pre-ticked ‘consent' boxes, it's all too easy to let your personal data leak away. Unfortunately, one of the biggest downfalls of our widely-connected, technology-obsessed society is that keeping your personal information to yourself is pretty much impossible. Whether it's surfing the web or changing your clothes, everyone deserves a little privacy.
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