Our location is being tracked mercilessly today, in several ways. In the digital age, location data is among the most sensitive information we share, providing a record of our daily lives that can reveal where we live, who we associate with, and our personal routines. For app developers, marketers, and even law enforcement, this data is a goldmine for the ‘app economy’. Today I’ll talk about the most common sources of location data and give you some tips for limiting the tracking.

In other news: the FTC files rule that requires canceling be just as easy as subscribing; CFPB takes action against worker surveillance; macOS Sequoia’s tightened app security may be annoying to some; it’s now legal to hack McFlurry machines to fix them; the EU makes vendors liable for software bugs; city sues Flock saying license plate readers are Unconstitutional; tracking world leaders with a fitness app; smartphone location tracking is out of control.

Article Links

1. [theverge.com] The FTC is finally making it easier to cancel your gym membership https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/16/24271649/ftc-click-to-cancel-subscriptions-final-rule


2. [consumerfinance.gov] CFPB Takes Action to Curb Unchecked Worker Surveillance https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-takes-action-to-curb-unchecked-worker-surveillance/


3. [appleinsider.com] What’s changed in runtime protection for macOS Sequoia https://appleinsider.com/inside/macos-sequoia/tips/whats-changed-in-runtime-protection-for-macos-sequoia


4. [404media.co] It Is Now Legal to Hack McFlurry Machines (and Medical Devices) to Fix Them https://www.404media.co/it-is-now-legal-to-hack-mcflurry-machines-and-medical-devices-to-fix-them/


5. [Risky Business] The EU will make vendors liable for bugs https://news.risky.biz/risky-biz-news-the-eu-will-make-vendors-liable-for-bugs/


6. [404media.co] Lawsuit Argues Warrantless Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras Is Unconstitutional https://www.404media.co/lawsuit-argues-warrantless-use-of-flock-surveillance-cameras-is-unconstitutional/


7. [schneier.com] Tracking World Leaders Using Strava https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2024/10/tracking-world-leaders-using-strava.html


8. [arstechnica.com] Location tracking of phones is out of control. Here’s how to fight back. https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/10/phone-tracking-tool-lets-government-agencies-follow-your-every-move/


9. Tip of the Week: https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/how-to-curb-location-tracking/ 

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Table of Contents

Use these timestamps to jump to a particular section of the show.

• 0:03:06 : News preview


• 0:04:41 : FTC is finally making it easier to cancel your gym membership


• 0:07:19 : CFPB Takes Action to Curb Unchecked Worker Surveillance


• 0:14:23 : What’s changed in runtime protection for macOS Sequoia


• 0:21:57 : It Is Now Legal to Hack McFlurry Machines (and Medical Devices) to Fix Them


• 0:28:15 : The EU will make vendors liable for bugs


• 0:33:00 : Lawsuit Argues Warrantless Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras Is Unconstitutional


• 0:41:09 : Tracking World Leaders Using Strava


• 0:42:38 : Location tracking of phones is out of control. Here’s how to fight back.


• 0:49:56 : Tip of the Week: Curbing Location Tracking


• 1:00:57 : Looking ahead