FTC Bans Data Brokers from Selling Americans’ Sensitive Location Data

by Justin Erickson

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has banned two data brokers – Mobilewalla and Gravy Analytics – from collecting and selling the sensitive location data of U.S. citizens. They collected and sold precise geolocation data, often without the users’ knowledge or consent. The FTC emphasized that selling sensitive data, such as precise location information tied to individuals, can lead to “discrimination, physical violence, emotional distress, and other harms.” Once enacted, the banned companies are required to delete all collected sensitive data and will not be allowed to collect any further data.

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