Rights Groups Slam UK Mobile and WiFi Operators for Location Tracking

It’s long been known that the data collected by Mobile Network Operators and WiFi providers can be used to track your location, but two new reports have revealed that operators could track more than this and also sell the data on for commercial benefit. Most consumers aren’t aware of this.

In fairness some of this data gathering and collation work does have positive benefits. For example, most Smartphone’s and computers can use data from mobile or WiFi providers to help spot your location when a GPS signal isn’t available, although the accuracy of this approach often leaves something to be desired.

However two new reports from Krowdthink (‘They Know Where You Are‘) and the Open Rights Group (‘Cashing in on your mobile?‘) have highlighted how most consumers are unwittingly signing up to be location tracked 24/7 and that the highly sensitive data this generates is being used and sold on for commercial benefit. Both conclude that consumers deserve to know and to not have their consent assumed.

Key findings – mobile and Wi-Fi service providers:

* Not telling customers upfront either in store at point of contract signature or online via their websites that all their movements will be tracked and historic location data will be used for marketing purposes and often sold to third parties;

* Hiding in the detail of their contracts that customers can indeed opt out of location tracking as well as the marketing and sharing of related data; and not making clear the means to opt out;

* Putting the customer communications focus on the need for location information to route calls and meet the requirements of government security legislation.

The investigations also highlight that:

* Some public Wi-Fi service providers claim that they have to collect location data for security purposes, which is not the case as with mobile service providers;

* Anonymisation of data is opaque and questionable as a personal data protection tool;

* Unless customers know what to ask for when interrogating their mobile or Wi-Fi service providers about the location data they hold on them, they will never be any the wiser; and even when they do know, they don’t always get the information they have requested.

Similarly the reports warn that such data would be a treasure trove if hackers got their hands on it as this would allow criminals, such as burglars, to identify your routine and target homes when they know you’re not present. The reports suggest that in some cases it may even be possible to use the data in order to identify a person’s sexual orientation, religion and many other personal preferences.

It’s worth pointing out that the new EU General Data Protection Regulations will be introduced this Spring and these are designed to compel organisations to be more transparent about how they collate and handle people’s personal data. Companies who fail to follow the new rules could face huge fines.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent body set up to uphold information rights, has also warned that Wi-Fi service providers must notify device users of the potential for their data to be analysed before they begin to process their information.

Meanwhile Krowdthink and ORG have joined forces to launch https://optmeoutoflocation.com, which aims to encourage the British public to demand that mobile and Wi-Fi service providers are explicit about what they are asking their customers to opt into and provide clear choices for opting out.