Apple and Google intend to prevent the data broker "X-Mode" from collecting any information about the site taken from mobile devices running their operating systems, in the wake of the disclosure of the business of supplying information to military agencies, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. (The Wall Street Journal).
The two largest mobile platforms this week told developers that they must remove the X-Mode tracking program from any app on app stores, or risk losing access to any phones running Apple or Google mobile operating systems.
Both Apple and Google revealed their decision to investigators working for Senator Ron Wyden, who conducted the investigation into the sale of location data to government agencies.
In a statement provided by a spokesperson for the company, Google said that developers have 7 days to remove "X-Mod" or else they will face a ban from the Google Play Store, adding that some developers may request an extension, and a representative of Apple confirmed that the company gave developers Notice that they have two weeks to remove X-Mode trackers.
Together, the two tech companies own a massive market share of cell phones worldwide, and their measures to restrict X-MODE are one of the first measures aimed directly at the broker.
X-Mode has been the subject of numerous media reports due to its activities, including from the Wall Street Journal.
The company provided data to many contractors with the US government in the fields of national security, combating terrorism and responding to epidemics, in accordance with its privacy policy and financial records.
Dozens of other companies - such as X-Mode - obtain detailed information about the site, and buy and resell it in what has become a multi-billion dollar industry, in which the data is used for advertising, understanding consumer behavior, and planning real estate and investment decisions.
Many site brokers - including X-Mode - have sought to help federal officials and local governors respond to the Corona epidemic, as consumers technically participate in this tracking by giving apps permission to register their device locations and accept terms of service.
"X-Mode" sold information from Islamic applications such as "Muslim Pro" to the US Department of Defense (communication sites)
X-MOD collects data using a small piece of software code called a software development kit, or "SDK", and is included in third-party applications in exchange for the data collected.
X-Mode has sold information from apps with a predominantly Muslim user base, such as the dating app Muslim Mingle and a prayer app called Muslim Pro to the US Department of Defense.
It is expected that preventing the inclusion of X-Mode software will have wider repercussions on the application store system, as it is a previous step by Apple and Google that could limit the ability of private institutions to collect and use mobile application data.
X-Mode said that this data is being purchased by US government oversight and law enforcement agencies, while Senator Wyden said he is drafting legislation to ban the practice.
"Americans are tired of hearing news of apps that sell their location information and other sensitive data to anyone with a checkbook, including the government," he added.