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Ad networks allow advertisers to target based on fine-grained location which is presumably matched against the location reported by the phone's location service
by bagacrap 9y ago
Ad networks allow advertisers to target based on fine-grained location which is presumably matched against the location reported by the phone's location services. That is, an app with GPS privileges displays a Geo targeted ad, then that display is reported to the advertiser. So yes, this is using GPS after a fashion.
- Ajedi32 9y agoSo this has nothing to do with browsers or ISPs; it's a result of apps with GPS permissions transmitting that information to advertisers without the user's consent?
- FridgeSeal 9y agoAnd/or users handing over consent for the app (and included ad-tech) to use GPS data without thinking through/caring enough about the consequences. Additionally, predatory apps that demand certain permissions to work can function to force the user to give up GPS data.
- Ajedi32 9y agoMaybe after the user declines a permission and the app prompts again, there should be a checkbox on the permissions prompt that makes Android pretend the permission was granted and just spoofs the relevant data.
- dx034 9y agoThat still means that you're safe if you don't use those apps. I just checked, none of the apps on my phone have location services always on, apps such as Facebook have it set to never. And I can't remember Facebook ever bothering me with it (as long as I don't post something at least).