I’m on record saying there needs to be more transparency around the current online business model. In most cases, cool and useful tools are available free or at low cost, in exchange for personal information about the user. I discussed this in my post about the supercookie debate, one of my best read posts last year.
Recently I got a new Droid Razr Maxx phone, and needed a new Twitter app. After a little searching I decided on TweetCaster. Before the download I read the fine print on permissions to decided to see how easy it was to understand, and if what if any options I had in the personal info for app exchange.
The permissions I agreed to were substantial. I needed to allow the app to:
- Prevent phone from going into sleep mode
- Provide my “network-based” location
- Read information off my device like phone and serial numbers
- Access log data, including personal information
- View all network connections, and be able to create new ones
These were notices, not choices. There was no “decline” box for any of them. I went ahead with the download, because I wanted the app. I also took a look at the privacy page of OutLoud, the maker of TweetCaster. I saw something that wasn’t clear regarding location tracking.
The privacy policy said I could turn off location reporting, but I had just given the app that permission as a condition for the download. So I wrote an email to the link provided, asking them to clarify:
Hello, I just installed the TweetCaster application on my Motorola Razr Maxx phone. Looks great and I’m going to enjoy using.
I reviewed your privacy settings, and saw this section:
Yes. This application does collect information about the location of your device. We collect location information using network triangulation and Wi-Fi IP address to determine your general device location.
Then I saw this section:
What are my opt-out rights?There are multiple opt-out options for users of this Application:Opt-out of all information collection by uninstalling the Application – You can stop all collection of information by the Application easily by uninstalling the Application. You may use the standard uninstall processes as may be available as part of your mobile device or via the mobile application marketplace or network.You may at any time opt-out from further allowing us to have access to your location data by;
- turning off location services for TweetCaster from the Location Services setting in Settings on your iPhone or iPad;
- deactivating the Location setting in Settings on your Android device;
- deactivating Use My Location by accessing Settings > Applications > Search on Windows Phone;
- turning Location Off under Options > Device > Location Settings on your BlackBerry device;
- turning Location off for TweetCaster in the Location settings on your BADA phone;
So I’ve gone to the Settings, Location and Security settings section of my device, and I see three categories for location services:
- Google location services
- Standalone GPS services
- VZW location services
All of these are unchecked, and inactive. So, does that mean that the free TweetCaster application application is not tracking my location in any way, including the network triangulation and Wi-Fi IP address?Please confirm, and thank you in advance.Chris Parente
It will be interesting to see how long it takes to get a response, and to read what it says. Whatever the answer, I made an informed decision. My first impression of the app is very positive, and it was free. Although if the app is still tracking me in some way with all my phone location settings off, OutLoud should revise their policy statement to be more clear.
Companies need to continue making this information easy to find, easy to understand and then follow their policies. Consumers need to take just a few minutes and ensure they understand the bargain they are making. That way there will be less ignorance and more informed debate about the personal info for cool online tools trade off.