Android flashlight app spying on users

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has clamped down on Goldenshores Technologies. They are the developer behind the "Brightest Flashlight" mobile application. The FTC estimates that it has been installed on "tens of millions" of Android devices.

What's the problem? After all, it provides a handy light source. However, it also collects data on the location of the device and device ID. Goldenshores Technologies then sells the data to third-party advertisers.

FTC consumer protection bureau director Jessica Rich said: "When consumers are given a real, informed choice, they can decide for themselves whether the benefit of a service is worth the information they must share to use it. "But this flashlight app left them in the dark about how their information was going to be used."

The company is now directed to not only inform its users as well as not collecting any data unless they have the user permission. It will also be required to fully disclose how it handles user information.