Stop ad-based location tracking

It’s the Digital Security Training team at Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), with security news that keeps you, your sources, and your devices safe. If someone has shared this newsletter with you, please subscribe here.

In the news

For some reason, everyone seems stressed out lately. Probably because of location tracking. … Yes, that must be it. Nothing else is going on right now. Hahaha.

So, it seems a tracking service called Locate X allows government and law enforcement customers to not only track routine movement patterns but also to monitor targeted cellphone locations, including highly sensitive sites such as abortion providers, according to 404 Media and Krebs on Security. 404 Media also reported that when an investigator who did not work with law enforcement asked for access, the company salesperson said, "they actually don't check" for authorization. This tool reportedly uses an advertising ID to track individual phones. Read more.

What you can do

• Quick anti-tracking win: A phone is a tracking device, and there is no shortage of alternate ways for law enforcement groups to access location data, such as through legal requests to cellphone providers. But this particular kind of tracking can happen without a warrant. There are some straightforward things we can do to minimize the location data companies have access to, including turning off mobile advertising identifiers in your settings. iPhone users: Go to your settings app > “Privacy & Security” > “Tracking.” On Android, go to your settings app > “Security & privacy” > "Privacy" > "Ads."?
• Dig into privacy settings: This is also a good reminder to limit which apps have access to your location data and to minimize risk overall by removing apps that you don’t really need. Read our guide to mobile device maintenance.?
• Inform your sources: If you are working with sources who might be at elevated risk due to their phone’s location data, consider sharing this information with them.

Updates from our team

• With a mind toward potential arrests or detainment of journalists covering protests, my team spoke for our newest election roundtable on the topic of examining mobile device considerations when reporting from the field. Check it out.
• We have closed our digital security trainer job listing. Thanks to everyone who reached out to express interest! We’re knee-deep in applications, so bear with us while we sort through them.

Our team is always ready to assist journalists with digital security concerns. Reach out here, and stay safe and secure out there.

Best,

Martin

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Martin Shelton

Deputy Director of Digital Security

Freedom of the Press Foundation