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Data Breach Reveals Exact Location Data of Millions from Popular Smartphone Apps

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A significant data breach has compromised the sensitive location information of millions of smartphone users who utilize popular apps, including dating platforms, gaming apps, email clients, and even a period tracking app. The breach occurred when a hacker managed to infiltrate Gravy Analytics, a data broker that aggregates and sells location data from various apps on iOS and Android devices. The hacker was able to access data that includes precise location details, potentially revealing users’ home addresses, workplaces, and other personal movements. While iOS users may have been partially protected due to a privacy feature introduced in iOS 14.5, the breach still affected many devices across both platforms.

Gravy Analytics, which collects and monetizes location data, was targeted through a “misappropriated key” that allowed the hacker to gain access to the company’s cloud-based storage. The incident occurred on January 4, but the full scale of the breach remains unclear, as the company’s disclosure to Norwegian authorities provided limited details. The data compromised in the breach consists of extensive customer lists and real-time location tracking, which provides insight into the precise movements of individuals. The data affected includes smartphone data from millions of users, posing significant privacy concerns.

The leaked data, according to Baptiste Robert, the CEO of Predicta Lab, contains “tens of millions of location data points,” including sensitive locations such as military bases, the Kremlin, the White House, and the Vatican. This revelation highlights the extent of the breach and the level of detail that the stolen data contains. The breach not only exposes personal privacy but also raises security concerns, especially with the targeting of sensitive locations like government buildings and military sites.

This breach serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities associated with the collection and storage of location data by third-party companies. While users may not always be aware of the extent to which their movements are being tracked, this incident underscores the risks involved in the widespread sharing of personal information by popular apps. As the investigation into the breach continues, it remains crucial for companies to implement stronger security measures and for users to stay vigilant about the permissions they grant to apps on their devices.

Hacker Claims Breach of US Location Tracking Company Gravy Analytics

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An unknown hacker is claiming responsibility for a breach at U.S. location tracking company Gravy Analytics, with screenshots of the boast circulating online. The breach details remain unclear, but a Russian-language post and screenshots uploaded early Sunday to XSS, a site frequented by cybercriminals, allege that the company was hacked, and large volumes of data were stolen.

Gravy Analytics, which merged with Unacast in 2023, has not commented on the situation. Attempts to contact both Gravy and Unacast were unsuccessful, and Gravy’s website was down on Wednesday. The leaked data, around 1.4 gigabytes, has been reviewed by experts who have confirmed its authenticity, raising concerns that the breach is legitimate.

This hack follows recent scrutiny from the U.S. government over companies, including Gravy, that collect and sell highly detailed location data. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had previously settled with Gravy Analytics and another broker, Mobilewalla, over deceptive practices in gathering location data without proper consent. The FTC has raised alarms over the vulnerability of Americans’ sensitive data, especially in the context of targeted advertising and surveillance.

 

Location Tracking Company Unacast Confirms Data Hack, Norway Notified

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Unacast, a location tracking company, has confirmed to the Norwegian government that it fell victim to a hacking incident, as reported by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK on Friday. The breach, which was discovered on January 4, involved the theft of information from Gravy Analytics, Unacast’s data broker subsidiary, using a “misappropriated” key.

While claims surfaced last week regarding the breach of Gravy Analytics’ data, experts who reviewed the leaked data indicated that it appeared to be legitimate. However, Unacast has yet to comment publicly on the situation, despite repeated requests for information.

A notice to Norway’s data protection authority explained that a preliminary investigation suggested some of the stolen files might contain personal data, though further investigation into the breach’s exact timing and scope is ongoing. Unacast’s lawyers, BakerHostetler, are handling the legal aspects of the situation. Despite attempts, NRK has been unable to reach Norway’s data protection authority for comment.