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Does this include apps like Foursquare/Swarm that sell aggregated location data to hedge funds? [1] ...or are the big players exempt from the rules of the game

Does this include apps like Foursquare/Swarm that sell aggregated location data to hedge funds? [1] ...or are the big players exempt from the rules of the game? [1] https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/290543 https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/290543

bob_theslob646 8y ago
This is another article that talks about how they actually do what the parent comment talks about. > When someone checks in to a place on Swarm, Foursquare's newer app, the company records the user's coordinates, helping it determine all the different coordinates associated with a single business or other place. > Foursquare says it can't disclose who its partners are, or how many different smartphone users' data it has acquired. But Rosenblatt says the company could, for example, create a list of "millions" of smartphone owners who frequently visit fast food restaurants by taking a pool of location data collected by its partners and comparing that to its database of fast food restaurant coordinates. > Advertisers could then use that data to show those users ads for fast food chains, or perhaps healthier alternatives or gym memberships—all without those people ever having to install a Foursquare app. [1](https://www.wired.com/2016/01/foursquares-plan-to-use-your-data-to-make-money-even-if-you-arent-a-user/ https://www.wired.com/2016/01/foursquares-plan-to-use-your-d...)
- syncopate 8y ago
  Isn't that called geofencing? It's been around for years. I always felt that the main reason e.g. Facebook wants you to use their app is to be able to supply data for conversions of geofencing ad campaigns, e.g. someone saw an ad for a promotion at some burger place and then actually came to close proximity of their wlan.
crystaln 8y ago
And Facebook or Google? They certainly track your location without a user centric business case. I don't think ad presentation qualifies.
RandallBrown 8y ago
While Swarm has an auto-check in feature where it tracks your location, location services isn't really required to use the app. Since the user is actively telling Foursquare/Swarm where they are, I don't think Apple would mind.

bob_theslob646 8y ago

This is another article that talks about how they actually do what the parent comment talks about. > When someone checks in to a place on Swarm, Foursquare's newer app, the company records the user's coordinates, helping it determine all the different coordinates associated with a single business or other place. > Foursquare says it can't disclose who its partners are, or how many different smartphone users' data it has acquired. But Rosenblatt says the company could, for example, create a list of "millions" of smartphone owners who frequently visit fast food restaurants by taking a pool of location data collected by its partners and comparing that to its database of fast food restaurant coordinates. > Advertisers could then use that data to show those users ads for fast food chains, or perhaps healthier alternatives or gym memberships—all without those people ever having to install a Foursquare app. [1](https://www.wired.com/2016/01/foursquares-plan-to-use-your-data-to-make-money-even-if-you-arent-a-user/ https://www.wired.com/2016/01/foursquares-plan-to-use-your-d...)

syncopate 8y ago
Isn't that called geofencing? It's been around for years. I always felt that the main reason e.g. Facebook wants you to use their app is to be able to supply data for conversions of geofencing ad campaigns, e.g. someone saw an ad for a promotion at some burger place and then actually came to close proximity of their wlan.

crystaln 8y ago

And Facebook or Google? They certainly track your location without a user centric business case. I don't think ad presentation qualifies.

RandallBrown 8y ago

While Swarm has an auto-check in feature where it tracks your location, location services isn't really required to use the app. Since the user is actively telling Foursquare/Swarm where they are, I don't think Apple would mind.