Some Android apps may send precise location data to advertisers through built-in advertising tools. Here is what happened and how you can better control which apps track your movements daily.
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What Happened?
TechCrunch reported the findings on August 4, 2026. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, or EFF, tested how advertising tools inside Android apps handled location data.
These tools are called software development kits, or SDKs. Developers add them to apps to provide features or earn money from advertising.
EFF found that some advertising SDKs collected location data after users gave the main app permission. Developers had to switch off this collection themselves.
The researchers found two apps sending precise coordinates to an advertising company. Together, the apps had more than 60 million downloads.
Location histories can reveal your routines and the places you visit. They may also create privacy risks if a data broker is hacked.
Many people do not know where their information has been shared or whether it later appeared in a data leak.
If you are unsure whether your information was leaked elsewhere, automatic monitoring can help you spot problems earlier.
Futureproof monitors your data for leaks 24/7 and helps you reduce scam risks with simple, clear steps.
Which Android Apps Were Involved and What Data Was Shared?
EFF identified QR Scanner and GPS Speedometer as two apps that sent precise location coordinates to a BidMachine internet address.
QR Scanner had more than 50 million downloads. GPS Speedometer had more than 10 million downloads.
EFF said neither app showed a separate notice or asked for consent before sharing the location data.
Their Google Play Data safety sections also did not list location as data shared with third parties.
However, the findings do not mean every user shared location data. The app first needed permission to access the device’s location.
The report also does not show that every app using these advertising tools behaves the same way.
Futureproof monitors your information for data leaks 24/7 and guides you with clear steps to keep it safer from scams.
Run a free checkHow Advertising Tools Received Your Location
An SDK is ready-made code that developers add to an app. Advertising SDKs help apps show ads and earn money.
Android does not provide separate location permissions for each SDK inside an app.
Therefore, when you allow an app to use your location, its advertising SDKs may receive the same access.
Some SDKs reviewed by EFF had location collection enabled by default. Developers had to find the setting and turn it off.
That means a weather, navigation, or fitness app may need your location for a useful feature.
However, an advertising tool inside the same app may also receive that location without a separate permission request.
At Futureproof, Kevin explains digital safety in simple words, with clear tips and zero fluff. He holds a degree in information technology and studies fraud trends to keep his tips up-to-date.
In his free time, Kevin plays with his cat, enjoys board-game nights, and hunts for New York’s best cinnamon rolls.
