Android Flashlight App Developer Settles FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers
The creator of one of the most popular apps for Android mobile devices has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the free app, which allows a device to be used as a flashlight, deceived consumers about how their geolocation information would be shared with advertising networks and other third parties. Goldenshores Technologies is the company behind the “Brightest Flashlight Free” app, which has been downloaded tens of millions of times by users of the Android operating system.
The FTC’s complaint alleges that the company’s privacy policy deceptively failed to disclose that the app transmitted users’ precise location and unique device identifier to third parties, including advertising networks. In addition, the complaint alleges that the company deceived consumers by presenting them with an option to not share their information, even though it was shared automatically, rendering the option meaningless. The settlement with the FTC prohibits the company from misrepresenting how consumers’ information is collected and shared and how much control consumers have over the way their information is used. The settlement also requires the defendants to provide a just-in-time disclosure that fully informs consumers when, how, and why their geolocation information is being collected, used and shared, and requires defendants to obtain consumers’ affirmative express consent before doing so. The flashlight app company also will be required to delete any personal information collected from consumers through the Brightest Flashlight app. The Commission vote to accept the consent agreement package containing the proposed consent order for public comment was 4-0.
Android Flashlight App Developer Settles FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers FTC Takes Dim View of Flashlight App That Shared Users' Location Data without Permission (AdWeek)