Twitter has announced some iOS users saw their location data leaked to one of their third-party partners under some very specific circumstances:
Specifically, if you used more than one account on Twitter for iOS and opted into using the precise location feature in one account, we may have accidentally collected location data when you were using any other account(s) on that same device for which you had not turned on the precise location feature.
Separately, we had intended to remove location data from the fields sent to a trusted partner during an advertising process known as real-time bidding. This removal of location did not happen as planned. However, we had implemented technical measures to “fuzz” the data shared so that it was no more precise than zip code or city (5km squared). This location data could not be used to determine an address or to map your precise movements. The partner did not receive data such as your Twitter handle or other unique account IDs that could have compromised your identity on Twitter. This means that for people using Twitter for iOS who we inadvertently collected location information from, we may also have shared that information with a trusted advertising partner.
We have confirmed with our partner that the location data has not been retained and that it only existed in their systems for a short time, and was then deleted as part of their normal process.
Twitter has since fixed the issue, and all is as it should be with the universe. But I think that for companies that seem to consistently make these types of mistakes, there should be consequences. As in something more than bad PR. That would force them to up their game and keep your data safe.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
This entry was posted on May 14, 2019 at 8:46 am and is filed under Commentary with tags Twitter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Twitter Flaw On iOS Allows Leaking Of Location Data To Third Parties
Twitter has announced some iOS users saw their location data leaked to one of their third-party partners under some very specific circumstances:
Specifically, if you used more than one account on Twitter for iOS and opted into using the precise location feature in one account, we may have accidentally collected location data when you were using any other account(s) on that same device for which you had not turned on the precise location feature.
Separately, we had intended to remove location data from the fields sent to a trusted partner during an advertising process known as real-time bidding. This removal of location did not happen as planned. However, we had implemented technical measures to “fuzz” the data shared so that it was no more precise than zip code or city (5km squared). This location data could not be used to determine an address or to map your precise movements. The partner did not receive data such as your Twitter handle or other unique account IDs that could have compromised your identity on Twitter. This means that for people using Twitter for iOS who we inadvertently collected location information from, we may also have shared that information with a trusted advertising partner.
We have confirmed with our partner that the location data has not been retained and that it only existed in their systems for a short time, and was then deleted as part of their normal process.
Twitter has since fixed the issue, and all is as it should be with the universe. But I think that for companies that seem to consistently make these types of mistakes, there should be consequences. As in something more than bad PR. That would force them to up their game and keep your data safe.
Share this:
Like this:
Related
This entry was posted on May 14, 2019 at 8:46 am and is filed under Commentary with tags Twitter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.