Brightest Flashlight Free app for Android has helped tens of thousands of smartphone users find their way around in the dark. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that the Android app hid a dark secret.
The FTC revealed that the Flashlight app deceived consumers on how their geographic location and certain personal information would be shared with advertising networks and also other third parties. Geolocation data allows marketers to create a detailed profile of a user and send them promotions and offers in real time.
When the customers downloaded the Brightest Flashlight Free app they had the option to opt-out of having their information shared, but the app maker Goldenshores Technologies, shared data of its customers even when they rejected the terms of service.
"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," said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "But this flashlight app left them in the dark about how their information was going to be used."
The FTC is now also taking a closer look at other app developers, websites and companies who carry out similar activity and track consumers' data without their permission and knowledge. The FTC has warned Goldenshores Technologies of such practice and has asked them to make changes to its user agreement.
The regulatory agency said that it did not seek any financial compensation as the app was available for free. The company's settlement with the FTC requires that if the developer of the app wants to collect and share a customer's geolocation data, then it must send a prominent disclosure notice when the app launches.
The case of the Brightest Flashlight Free app was highlighted because of the diligence of some tech-savvy customers who questioned the company why it would be interested in a customer's phone's geolocation. The FTC confirmed that consumer concerns over the app posted online helped it in launching a thorough investigation.
