iOS Privacy Advances
Law and legislation take the lead in setting standards for protecting personal data, but the policies and norms established by companies also play a central role. This has been the case particularly for global platforms providing the services used by billions in the course of daily life. Apple’s 2020 Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) previewed a […]
New Infographic Illustrates Key Aspects of Location Data
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) published an infographic, “The World of Geolocation Data” that outlines how location data is generated from mobile devices, who has access to it, and factors to consider in evaluating privacy risks. Data from our mobile devices, including smartphones and fitness trackers, can serve as a proxy for where […]
A Closer Look at Location Data: Privacy and Pandemics
In this series, Privacy and Pandemics, the Future of Privacy Forum explores the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis to existing ethical, privacy, and data protection frameworks, and will seek to provide information and guidance to companies and researchers interested in responsible data sharing to support public health response. Future posts will examine pandemic-tracking mobile […]
Mobile Platforms Address Data Privacy with 2018 Updates (iOS 12, Mojave, & Android P)
In light of recent debates over Facebook’s role in protecting users’ privacy against third-party app developers, many are recognizing the importance of mobile platforms in safeguarding user data. Apple emphasized privacy in its Worldwide Developers Conference (June 4-8, 2018), highlighting several privacy-related updates to the upcoming macOS and iOS 12. Google also made privacy a focus of their newest mobile operating system, Android P, with several key software updates that will restrict app developers’ access to data.
Empirical Research in the Internet of Things, Mobile Privacy, and Digital Advertising
In the world of consumer privacy, including the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile data, and advertising technologies (“Ad Tech”), it can often be difficult to measure real-world impact and conceptualize individual harms and benefits. Fortunately, academic researchers are increasingly focusing on these issues, leading to impressive scholarship from institutions such as the Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP), Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science, UC Berkeley School of Information, and many others, including non-profits and think tanks.
If You Can't Take the Heat Map: Benefits & Risks of Releasing Location Datasets
Strava’s location data controversy demonstrates the unique challenges of publicly releasing location datasets (open data), even when the data is aggregated.
Cross-Device: Understanding the State of State Management
On Friday, October 16, the Future of Privacy Forum filed comments with the FTC in advance of the FTC’s Cross Device Workshop on Nov. 16, 2015. Jules Polonetsky and Stacey Gray have prepared a report, Cross-Device: Understanding the State of State Management, based on revisions to FPF’s comments filed with the FTC on October 16th, that aims to describe […]
Android M and Privacy: Giving Users Control over App Permissions
Android M and Privacy: Giving Users Control over App Permissions Android M promises to deliver several new user-control features built to advance transparency, choice, and predictability. The new App Permissions system allows users to select permissions specific to each app and device feature. The granular system requires apps to request user permissions individually as the […]
Talking Cars and the Internet of Things at TRUSTe's IoT Privacy Summit
Future of Privacy Forum is excited to partner with TRUSTe to provide attendees with a full day of case studies, workshops and panels at the second IoT Privacy Summit on June 17th in Menlo …
MMA Releases Privacy Policy Guidelines for Mobile Apps
The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) released a mobile app model privacy policy document on Monday for public comment. “The guidelines are intended to provide ways to give the mobile application developer with clear and transparent policy language that can be quickly and completely understood by the consumer,” said MMA Global CEO Greg Stuart. Read more about the Guidelines here.