Flashlight App Used By Millions Was Giving Away Secrets

The creator of an Android flashlight app that did not properly inform users it was sending their location and unique device identifier to third parties has reached a settlement with the FTC. The “Brightest Flashlight Free” app, developed by Goldenshores Technologies LLC, was downloaded tens of millions of times by Android users, but its privacy policy failed to inform users that their location and device information was being shared with advertisers. In fact, the company offered consumers an option not to share their information, but automatically sent it anyway. Under the draft settlement, Goldenshores would be required to delete information already collected through the app, inform consumers when, how, and why their geolocation information would be collected, used and shared, and obtain affirmative consent before proceeding.