Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 4 hrs ago
Everyday App Location Data Can Reach Police Through Surveillance Tools
Everyday smartphone apps collect location data that can later be sold to law enforcement agencies.
Penlink uses commercially obtained data to track phones, according to investigative journalist Ryan Gallagher.
The data may reach police without users knowing where it ends up.
The issue has prompted calls for stronger privacy protections and oversight of how this information is used.
Location information can therefore be used for surveillance beyond the original app.
The account does not specify what changes, if any, may follow those calls.
Location data collected by everyday smartphone apps can be sold to law enforcement agencies, Bloomberg reports.
Penlink’s surveillance technology can use commercially obtained data to track phones.
Users may not know where their information ends up.
The use of the technology has fueled calls for greater privacy protections and oversight.
Bloomberg investigative journalist Ryan Gallagher discussed the issue on Bloomberg This Weekend.
- Who
- Penlink and law enforcement agencies are involved in the use of commercially obtained app location data. Bloomberg journalist Ryan Gallagher explained the practice.
- What
- Location data collected through everyday smartphone apps can reach police through surveillance technology.
- When
- The Bloomberg article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The technology enables phones to be tracked using commercially obtained data, prompting calls for greater privacy protections and oversight.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Surveillance technology
- Penlink
- Data source
- Commercially obtained location data
- Potential users
- Law enforcement agencies
- Bloomberg discussion
- Bloomberg This Weekend
- Journalist
- Ryan Gallagher