Website flaw exposed most U.S. cellphones' real-time locations

[dalton99a]

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/05/18/website-flaw-exposed-most-u-s-cellphones-real-time-locations/

Website flaw exposed most U.S. cellphones’ real-time locations
By Frank Bajak | Associated Press
May 18, 2018 at 6:27 am

A website flaw at a California company that gathers real-time data on cellular wireless devices could have allowed anyone to pinpoint the location of any AT&T, Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile cellphone in the United States to within hundreds of yards, a security researcher said.

The company involved, LocationSmart of Carlsbad, operates in a little-known business sector that provides data to companies for such uses as tracking employees and texting e-coupons to customers near relevant stores.

Among the customers LocationSmart identifies on its website are the American Automobile Association, FedEx and the insurance carrier Allstate. LocationSmart did not immediately respond to emails and telephone messages seeking comment on the flaw and its business practices.

The LocationSmart flaw was first reported by independent journalist Brian Krebs. It’s the latest case to underscore how easily wireless carriers can share or sell consumers’ geolocation information without their consent.

[blue neen]

1. This is sickening.

The potential for abuse is enormous! Geebus!

[DFW]

2. Not just the United States

Recently, my wife ducked into the entrance of a local store to get out of the sunlight to see the screen on her cell phone here in Germany. Within seconds she got a popup ad from the store whose entrance she had just borrowed for 8 seconds.

[Cal Carpenter]

3. Google maps has a feature that pops up stuff about a business you are in/near

As a small business owner it pisses me off to no end, and I can't stop it. Obviously can't speak to your wife's specific incident, but it may not be an actual advertisement from the store, but rather Google maps (or possibly some other map/GPS type app) suggesting you review the business or 'check in' from it or whatever.

I would never ever ever do something that intrusive to my customers and I was horrified to learn that it looks like we are advertising like that. Apparently the user has to change their Google map settings to make it stop. I almost want to put a sign in our window saying we have no control over it, and directions on how to disable it on their phone lol

[DFW]

4. We'll have to ask someone under 30.

I don't use a "smart" phone when I'm over here. The higher-ups in my outfit made me use one when I'm in the States, but that is less than one quarter of the year. The cell phone I use over here was (I think) taken from the mummified hands of some 3rd dynasty Egyptian pharaoh. I can't verify that, but it's pretty primitive by today's standards.