In a pilot program launching soon, Uber will begin obscuring riders’ exact pickup and drop-off locations in the trip history displayed to drivers. Instead, it will display a broader location area. The change is intended to enhance rider privacy and safety, the first of several upcoming changes Uber is making to limit the exposure of […]
Four out of five (82%) advertisers said mobile device identifiers, which are used to pinpoint specific smartphone users, are important for ad targeting, but 53% said privacy implications are an “urgent issue,” per a study by Advertiser Perceptions. In addition, 50% of advertisers said online fraud will significantly affect their mobile ad spending, per the […]
In a surprise change, Facebook will give up one major data source that the company uses to help advertisers target relevant users on the platform. The company just announced that it will end a feature called Partner Categories, launched back in 2013 out of a partnership between Facebook and major data brokers. Third party data […]
Snapchat is reportedly working on a new feature that will let users control which third-party apps will have access to their accounts, the media reported. The latest beta version of Snapchat has a new feature category called “Connected Apps” whose description reads: “These apps are connected to your Snapchat account. Choose an app to control […]
34 per cent of UK adults plan to use their right to be forgotten once the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) kicks in on 25 May, according to a survey of 1,000 Brits carried out by media agency The7stars. The research also found that only 19 per cent of respondents are confident that their data is […]
In 100 days the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force, bringing with it new laws covering how businesses collect, store and use consumer data. As businesses prepare for the new rules, almost two-thirds (61%) of consumers are already happy with the amount of personal information they share. This change in attitudes has been […]
Facebook users will be notified every time their face is uploaded to the platform, even if it is not tagged. The new facial recognition feature will not apply to users in the European Union or Canada, where privacy regulators have prevented the use of such technology. The social network said the new option was “empowering” […]
Popular weather app AccuWeather has been sending geolocation data to a third-party firm which uses location data to help publishers and media companies generate more money via accurate mobile audience segments. According to Verify.ly founder Will Strafach, when users accept location requests from the iOS version of the app they are also granting access to their location […]
Anyone who’s opened a new app lately has seen a location- tracking pop-up that reads something like, “Allow app to access this device’s location?” Most people tap “Allow” on the assumption that it’s necessary for the app to do its thing—to hail a ride, find nearby restaurants or forecast the weather. And then they forget […]
Facebook-owned messaging giant WhatsApp will begin to share data including users’ phone number with its parent company, as part of plans to allow businesses to send messages to users. It will be the first time the messaging service has connected users’ accounts to the social network to share data. Starting from today, the billion-plus users will be […]