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ARTICLE · 14 DECEMBER 2020

Mobile Platforms To Block Data Broker From Collecting User Location Data

Proskauer Rose LLP
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On December 9, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple and Google will block the data broker X-Mode Social Inc. ("X-Mode") from collecting location data from iPhone and Android users.

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Jeffrey Neuburger
Jeffrey Neuburger
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On December 9, 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple and Google will block the data broker X-Mode Social Inc. ("X-Mode") from collecting location data from iPhone and Android users. Apple and Google have reportedly informed app developers to remove the X-Mode social tracking SDK from all of their apps within a short period of time or risk removal from the platforms' app stores. This action apparently was prompted by reports that X-Mode was selling location data to certain defense contractors and government entities.

The WSJ report suggests that Apple and Google notified Senator Ron Wyden about this action. Senator Wyden and a group of other Senators have been soliciting government inquiries over the last several months into the sale of location data to government contractors and agencies. It is Senator Wyden's position that such sales of users' location data by commercial data brokers to government entities are unlawful without a warrant (citing the

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