User Beware: Security and Privacy Concerns Using Mobile Devices

Mobile devices are becoming the new computers.  With today’s mobile devices, we can create documents, programs, respond to emails, create photo albums, mini-movies, etc.  We can also purchase goods and monitor our bank accounts on these devices.

Mobile devices are definitely very convenient for the person on the go.  However, convenience does come with a price.  When we use applications that can access our bank accounts, credit card info, and other personal information,  there are security and privacy risks.  Importantly, how secure is our private information?  Are the services or applications we use on our mobile devices sharing our information with third parties?  Can mobile services providers send us ads through text messages and other notifications to our mobile devices?

The answers to all of these questions are contained in the service provider’s Terms of Service Agreement.  I know I have stressed the importance of reading Terms of Services Agreement many times, but it is imperative users read these agreements before signing up for a service.

Below are general examples of how service providers deal with privacy, security, and targeted advertising on mobile devices.

1. Security.  When using mobile services or apps, the service provider puts the burden of maintaining the privacy of your information on the user.  For example, Amazon states when a user uses their account, they are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of account and password information and for restricting access to the user’s computer or mobile device.  However, Amazon does encrypt the information.

2. Privacy.  Most mobile services will receive and store the information you provide to use the service.  This information is used for targeted advertising; ease of purchasing products or services; and communications.  The service provider can share your information with its affiliates, third party advertisers, and companies the service providers owns or is owned by.

3.  Mobile service providers will send notifications of promotions or other targeted advertising to the mobile device.  Some will give the user the opportunity to opt-in and others will require the user to opt-out.  For example, Amazon requires the user to change their settings to not receive promotions or other targeted advertising.

As with most Terms of Service Agreements, mobile service providers put the burden on the user to discover any changes or modifications in the Privacy Policy or Terms of Service Agreement.

Bottom line?  Always read the Terms of Service Agreement of any mobile service to ensure you are comfortable with the terms and conditions of use.  User must understand that their information will likely be shared and personal data security is not absolute.

About the Author
Latoicha Givens is the founder and a member of the firm Phillips Givens, LLC. Ms. Givens practice includes represention of start-ups, small, and mid-sized businesses in intellectual property matters, specficially, trademarks, copyrights, and licensing issues. She is the author of IPLAW101.com, a blog covering Intellectual Property issues specifically trademark law - trademark registration and infringement; Domain Name Disputes: Cybersquatting; Licensing and Intellectual Property issues in New Media.
See all posts by Latoicha Givens.