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"What we discovered is that some of the apps that

Oct. 13, 2018 by Devin Jones

"What we discovered is that some of the apps that shared specific location data are using it as an advertising tool in a way that's not very open to the public," Sudo Security's Guardian team wrote.

"However, some of the apps that shared data were using it to build some kind of unique advertising strategy, and in some cases they were doing this in a way that's very different from the way they do it on other platforms. So we know some of these apps are using location-data to build some kind of unique advertising strategy, but some apps are doing this using the same method that the other apps do in a way that's very different from what's being done on the iOS side."

Given that location data is not necessarily shared with the app developers, it's unclear how many of these apps are likely using it in their advertising. However, the Guardian team said it "has confirmed to our clients that some apps are using location-data (location data) in an effort to promote apps or services on their networks."

The Guardian team also discussed how it is possible that mobile apps are using the data to build ad campaigns, which can give them a greater sense of who is using their app.

"We believe that this is a potential tool to help advertisers better understand who is using their app, and in turn better inform ad spend by offering advertisers what they want, in the form of ads, on their networks," they wrote.

"We are working very hard to make sure that these ads are not just a way advertisers are tracking who actually uses their app. For example, we have worked with a number of advertisers on how to use location data to increase awareness for ad campaigns by using this data on social media and using analytics tools that will help advertisers understand who is using their app. We are working to make sure that these ads are not just a way advertisers are tracking who actually uses their app."

While the Guardian team's report was interesting because of its inclusion of location data, the researchers said that it could also be an indication that people are using location data to build ad campaigns, which could give them a greater sense of who is using their app and what's being built within those ads.

"As long as we're looking at this as a form of marketing, we understand that people and businesses, especially those who are in their apps, will be able to make a case to themselves, and even their customers, that their app is not being used as an ad, and they deserve a better way