Location Data, Connecticut and IAPP’s Privacy Concerns

Welcome to the first Thursday of May! This year is already moving quickly – can you believe we’ll be halfway through the year in just a month? Now that we’re all back full-time, we’re working hard to make sure the rest of 2022 is successful. While everyone dives into the swing of things, Seanna is back with good versus evil below.

I grew up peak 90s, watching every Disney movie and truly feeling like there was “a little princess in all of us” thanks to Alfonso Cuarón’s adaptation of “A Little Princess.” As we age, however, I think we all know we’re someone’s villain, even if we’re the hero in our own stories. I got the full picture when I was at a networking event, sitting in a circle with several people I didn’t know. Naturally, there came a time when we all had to introduce ourselves and what we do for a living. Here’s what the two people before me said:

“I’m a reformed marketer, working in social work.” 

Laughs

“I also chose to become good instead of evil!” 

More laughs

And then it was my turn. “Oh, heh. I guess I’m evil?” 

Everyone laughed again while I awkwardly thought about perception and how there’s a “good” and “evil” to everything. Take, for example, the fact that three separate companies / organizations have been caught using or selling location data for their own purposes this week. But on the other hand, from a purpose-driven perspective, that same location data can be used to help find missing persons or help someone get home. 

There’s clearly a line in the sand when it comes to violating privacy, but it’s time all marketers start crossing to the “good” side of that line. And hopefully, once we do, I won’t be the Disney villain at the next networking event I attend. 

Safegraph, Grindr, and CDC

This week, three separate organizations were reported to have been selling or using their customers’ location data for their own gain. First up, Grindr has been selling its customers’ location data to ad partners since 2017, though it has reduced the amount of data it shares since 2020. Next, SafeGraph has been selling the location data of people who go to Abortion clinics, including how long they stay and where they go next. Lastly, the CDC used location data to determine if citizens were following COVID-19 protocols, though they found 21 other use cases for tracking data. 

Take a look at Grindr's data

Learn more about SafeGraph & Abortion Clinics

See what the CDC can do with data

Leaked Roe v. Wade opinion sparks right-to-privacy concerns

This week’s leaked Roe v. Wade opinion — if it moves forward — could have repercussions on the constitutional right to privacy. In this breakdown by IAPP, you can see how it set the precedent for several other cases regarding privacy. 

Read IAPP's breakdown

Connecticut poised to be fifth state with comprehensive privacy law

In a continuation from last week, Connecticut’s SB 6 has officially moved forward from the House floor, where it was enrolled on April 28. All that’s left is for Governor Ned Lamont to sign it into law, and once that happens, Connecticut will be the fifth state to have it’s own privacy law on the books. 

Study SB 6’s core components

Osano is in high-growth mode!

We’re hiring an Engineering Manager to lead and develop a team of talented software engineers. It’s the perfect role for someone with a technical background, stellar communication skills, and a knack for motivating others. 

Apply Now!