Advertisement
Misbehaving mobile carriers get shamed by the government in China
What happens when wireless carriers get busted in China versus the US
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
This article originally appeared on ABACUS
Some American mobile carriers are reportedly selling real-time location data for their customers, sparking concern about a data scandal and calls for… discussion.
The timing makes for an interesting companion, because China has just taken action against a number of mobile carriers, slapping them with fines and public shaming.
That apparent quick action might sound efficient and even preferable to what ensues in the West. But that level of government control has a dark downside.
Advertisement
The Motherboard report says that AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have been selling customers’ real-time location data -- data which ended up on the black market. It triggered concerns, calls for an investigation, and an invitation for the FCC chairman Ajit Pai to appear before lawmakers. (It was an invitation he turned down due to the ongoing US government shutdown.)
Those carriers have since pledged to stop selling data to third parties. But it’s not the first time that America’s major telecoms have come under fire for not doing enough to protect customer data. It’s also not the first time that they’ve promised to do better.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x