Dr Johnny Ryan

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed to ban Mobilewalla from selling sensitive location data, including data that reveals the identity of an individual’s private home, to settle allegations the data broker sold such information without taking reasonable steps to verify consumers’ consent.

Under the FTC’s proposed settlement order, Mobilewalla will also be banned from collecting consumer data from online advertising auctions for purposes other than participating in those auctions, marking the first time the agency has alleged such a practice was an unfair act or practice.

In November 2022, ICCL highlighted the dangers of Mobilewalla to the FTC in a submission together with the Open Markets Institute and the Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialogue, a forum of 75 NGOs.

ICCL Enforce — a unit of ICCL which advocates, investigates, and litigates across the globe to enforce human rights on tech — has welcomed the FTC’s decision, as have Open Markets and the TACD.

Dr Johnny Ryan, director of ICCL Enforce, said: “This FTC action against Mobilewalla is an important step in shutting down the free-for-all of sensitive data that exposes America to national security vulnerability and exposes every American to the discrimination, manipulation, and private and government surveillance.

“We commend the FTC for acting.”