An investigation by netzpolitik.org uncovered a dataset from a U.S. data broker containing 380 million location data points from 137 countries, linked to approximately 40,000 different apps. The data includes precise location information tied to Mobile Advertising IDs, revealing extensive tracking practices across various app categories, including dating, weather, and gaming apps. Notably, apps like Wetter Online, Focus Online, and Kleinanzeigen were found to have alarmingly accurate location data. SRF’s analysis for Switzerland found that one in five of the 50 most popular free apps there leaks users’ locations. Separately, hackers claimed a breach of the US data broker Gravy Analytics and a list of more than 15,000 apps whose users’ location data Gravy reportedly held became public. The findings lay bare how everyday apps act as surveillance tools and that users often remain unaware of the extent to which their movements are monitored and traded.
