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T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

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Re: T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

#11

Post by car_analogy »

_aavaa_ wrote: post #4

> Android users can download T-Mobile’s “Magenta Marketing Platform Choices” app from the Play Store to opt out of the new App Insights program. Disgusting

Is there some legal requirement forcing them to offer an opt-out? And if so, how ridiculous and insecure can they make the opt-out? Anyone privacy conscious wouldn't install an app from someone as openly hostile as T-Mobile. What if one doesn't have the Play Store?

This is like a keyboard selling your typing data, and if you want to opt-out, you have to install a plugin for Google Docs...

Re: T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

#12

Post by ttybird2 »

_aavaa_ wrote: post #4

> Android users can download T-Mobile’s “Magenta Marketing Platform Choices” app from the Play Store to opt out of the new App Insights program. Disgusting

This is what Google Analytics does, except with an app instead of an addon (that does not work).

Re: T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

#13

Post by pipeline_peak »

0x08 wrote: post #9

You don't need the app, and this is also applicable to previous sprint users as well as metro users. https://www.t-mobile.com/privacy-center/education-and-resour... EDIT: I would like to an EXTRA middle finger to T-Mobile for turning on this opt-in by default for phones which are configured for a minor child. It is one thing to do this to 18+, but seriously on android phones that are configured for a minor? Read the…

How is this any worse for a minor?

Re: T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

#14

Post by withinboredom »

FloatArtifact wrote: post #8
gruez wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My guess is that they have a preinstalled carrier app that does the spying for them. That would explain why it's not available on ios (because of app permission restrictions) and how it's able to collect "the Wi-Fi networks they join".

Interesting, My phone was purchased from Google without a carrier then brought on as a bring your own device to T-Mobile. There is no pre-installed app or os by T-Mobile. I downloaded the T-Mobile app which does not require any permissions. However, there was quite a bit of data according to magenta ad platform. I find that disturbing...

SIM cards have their own apps and cpu running on them, powered by the phone.

Re: T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

#15

Post by withinboredom »

cphaynes wrote: post #7
gruez wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My guess is that they have a preinstalled carrier app that does the spying for them. That would explain why it's not available on ios (because of app permission restrictions) and how it's able to collect "the Wi-Fi networks they join".

What if you BYOD though? Say a Pixel...straight up Android. I'd assume they just track your data traffic at that point? Either way, it sucks.

SIM cards have their own cpu, memory, and OS running on them. So theoretically they can still track your device.

Re: T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

#16

Post by gruez »

withinboredom wrote: post #15
cphaynes wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if you BYOD though? Say a Pixel...straight up Android. I'd assume they just track your data traffic at that point? Either way, it sucks.

SIM cards have their own cpu, memory, and OS running on them. So theoretically they can still track your device.

>SIM cards have their own cpu, memory, and OS running on them

That might be the case, but they still rely on the phone to feed it information. I doubt the sim card interface provides a way to send the currently connected wifi network or what apps are installed.

Re: T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

#17

Post by withinboredom »

gruez wrote: post #16
withinboredom wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

SIM cards have their own cpu, memory, and OS running on them. So theoretically they can still track your device.

>SIM cards have their own cpu, memory, and OS running on them That might be the case, but they still rely on the phone to feed it information. I doubt the sim card interface provides a way to send the currently connected wifi network or what apps are installed.

No but they can correlate things to a ridiculous amount of resolution. Sure, millions of people hit the Reddit API every day but I can guarantee no other person on earth hits it at exactly the same time as you do, repeatedly.

Re: T-Mobile is now selling app usage data to advertisers

#18

Post by 0x08 »

pipeline_peak wrote: post #13
0x08 wrote: post #9

You don't need the app, and this is also applicable to previous sprint users as well as metro users. https://www.t-mobile.com/privacy-center/education-and-resour... EDIT: I would like to an EXTRA middle finger to T-Mobile for turning on this opt-in by default for phones which are configured for a minor child. It is one thing to do this to 18+, but seriously on android phones that are configured for a minor? Read the…

How is this any worse for a minor?

https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-onl...
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