Location-Based Services: An Overview of Opportunities and Other Considerations

A Federal Communications Commission staff report on location-based services (LBS) -- mobile services that combine information about a user’s physical location with online connectivity and are transforming the way Americans work and play.

Drawing upon its experience in protecting consumer privacy, FCC staff believes:

• LBS have tremendous potential to provide value and foster innovation to benefit the economy and consumers;
• LBS industry players face challenges as they attempt to provide consumers with appropriate notice and choice with respect to the use of the data generated by LBS and the devices and networks that host them;
• Industry is taking steps to respond to these challenges but the degree of responsiveness varies among companies and industry segments; and
• New issues continue to emerge that need to be addressed, timely and responsively.

Consequently, in collaboration with federal partners and industry representatives, FCC staff will continue to monitor industry compliance with applicable statutory requirements and evolving industry best practices to ensure LBS evolves to meet its fullest potential while protecting the legitimate interests of consumers in safeguarding their personally identifiable information.