Apple prohibits App Store devs from using location-based ads
updated 06:25 pm EST, Thu February 4, 2010
GPS info allowed only for "beneficial" uses
Apple has notified App Store developers that they will be prohibited from using location-based information for mobile advertising. The company claims the GPS data can only be used to provide "beneficial information." The announcement has ignited speculation that Apple has reserved the capability for its own advertising endeavors.
"If your app uses location-based information primarily to enable mobile advertisers to deliver targeted ads based on a user's location, your app will be returned to you by the App Store Review Team for modification before it can be posted to the App Store," Apple said.
Many analysts believe Apple is preparing to launch a mobile advertising network that will serve ads through free apps on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The company recently acquired Quattro Wireless, a mobile advertising specialist, after reportedly failing to sign a deal to purchase AdMob. The latter company was later picked up by Google.
"Looks like Apple is going to keep location-based advertising to themselves," said Twitterific developer Craig Hockenberry in a recent tweet.
Despite the variety of reports pointing to Apple's mobile advertising push, the company's exact plans remain unclear.
chockenberry
02/04, 07:13pm reply
ahem.. *craig* hockenberry, not greg.
mungler
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2010
Denied!
02/04, 10:17pm reply
This is exactly why location services are turned off on my phone. The day Apple bypasses it, is the day my phone goes into the toilet. Contract and all.
I hope you are reading this Apple.
osxpro
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2007
Apple is big brother
02/04, 11:00pm (1 reply) reply
how is this different?
ggirton
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
1984
02/05, 09:44am reply
Can we extend Godwin's Law to include anyone making comparison's to Orwell's novel?
Erm, it's different, in that the essence of 1984 was nothing to do with contract law between two parties engaged in a commercial relationship i.e. developers on a proprietary platform.
The tendency to cry 'Big Brother' at the most trivial restriction of any freedom is irritating, to say the least - especially in comparison to the the actual Big Brother moves over the last few years - you know, increased political surveillance, creating a climate of fear out of proportion to the threat, the use of anti-terrorism law against democratic protests.
I think Apple are wrong in what they're doing (I think you compete by delivering something better, not locking in) but this ain't Big Brother.
JulesLt
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2005
A bit dramatic maybe?
02/05, 10:29am reply
This link (which I didn't see included in your post?):
http://developer.apple.com/iphone/news/archives/2010/february/#corelocation%23corelocation%23corelocation%23corelocation
has the word "primarily" in there for a reason. It just says they want apps that provide value/benefit based on location, not "primarily" advertising / location based spam. I'm thinking a wholesale ban on LBA by any Quattro competitor would tweak the ears of some antitrust lawyers eh? Doubt it.
Pete Tenereillo
Founder/CEO, Trapster.com
facebook_Peter
Via Facebook
Joined: Feb 2010
Why not an option?
02/06, 01:40pm reply
I rather be given the option to allow GPS in settings as I much rather have advertisements (if at all) that are relevant to where I am.
MiMiC
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007