ARTICLE · 17 DECEMBER 2013

Mobile Apps Remain Regulatory Focus As FTC Enforces Data Privacy Of Popular Program

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The provider of the immensely popular "Brightest Flashlight Free" mobile app for Android reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

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Emily Tabatabai

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The provider of the immensely popular "Brightest Flashlight Free" mobile app for Android reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over charges that it collected sensitive personal information, including precise geolocation data, and shared it with third parties such as advertising networks, without users' knowledge. The settlement agreement, announced Dec. 5, 2013, underscores the FTC's focus on privacy in the mobile space and its continued desire to see companies accurately communicate data practices in their mobile app privacy policies and terms of use. The agreement, which contained a Consent Order, was entered into with Goldenshores Technologies, LLC, and Erik M. Geidl, the company's managing member.

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