Summary

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action to prohibit data broker Kochava and its subsidiary, Collective Data Solutions (CDS), from selling precise geolocation data without obtaining explicit consumer consent. This decision is part of a settlement addressing charges against Kochava for selling sensitive location data from millions of mobile devices.

Key Points

• The FTC's ban targets Kochava and its subsidiary, Collective Data Solutions (CDS).
• The prohibition is specifically on the sale of precise geolocation data.
• The data in question was collected from hundreds of millions of mobile devices.
• The settlement requires explicit consumer consent before any location data can be sold.

Analysis

This action by the FTC underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny on data brokers and their handling of sensitive consumer information. The move highlights the importance of consumer privacy and the need for explicit consent in data transactions. For IT professionals, this serves as a reminder of the evolving legal landscape surrounding data privacy and the necessity to ensure compliance with regulations.

Conclusion

IT professionals should review their data handling practices to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and consider implementing stricter consent mechanisms for data collection and sales. Staying informed about regulatory changes is crucial to avoid legal repercussions.