Talk

Start new thread

Flip

Back to thread

Original poster

potential data location breach

2 replies

floormops · 11/01/2025 11:23

I have just seen a sky news item about a US data location tracking firm Gravy analytics that has been hacked. Mumsnet is quoted as being one of the apps affected with potential breach of user location details. The article advises turning off location if using the app on your phone.

Has anyone seen this?
I am reluctant to post the link mentioned in the item in case it isn't safe.
Is anyone from MN likely to see this before Monday?

Go to post

MNHQ

BeckyAMumsnet · 14/01/2025 11:44

Hi all.

No Mumsnet user data is involved in this attack - we don't work with Gravy Analytics and we don't track our users' location.

The breach affects thousands of apps that may track your location - the best way to protect yourself against this is:
Android: Settings -> Privacy -> Ads -> Delete Advertising ID
iPhone: Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Track -> Allow Apps to Request to Track

We're closely monitoring the situation and will update if any new information comes to light. Thanks for posting.

MNHQ

BeckyAMumsnet · 15/01/2025 08:45

BIWI · 14/01/2025 12:25

Thanks @BeckyAMumsnet (and apologies for not tagging you earlier).

If Mumsnet/Mumsnet users aren't involved, how come we've been named in that article?

Hey @BIWI, no worries. The location tracking works through ad requests. When an app requests to display an ad, companies like Gravy Analytics pose as ad providers and track the location of the request. We don’t share a user’s exact location with the ad request, so the location they see is usually just an estimate.
However, in apps where precise location is needed, they can track a device's movements by analysing multiple ad requests. This allows them to map out where the device is traveling over time. Hope this clarifies things.

Watch this thread for updates

Tap "Watch" to get all the latest updates

End of posts

There are no more MNHQ posts on this thread

Back to thread

Flip