FTC Pacts With Two Brokers Ban Protestor Location Data Sales (2)

Data broker Gravy Analytics Inc. and its subsidary Venntel Inc. will no longer be able to share with law enforcement geolocation of individuals tracked using bidstream data, except in limited cases, under a settlement announced Tuesday by the Federal Trade Commission.

Gravy Analytics sold location data and other sensitive information, including consumers’ health decisions, political activities, and religious viewpoints, according to the FTC’s news release. Gravy Analytics continued to use consumers’ location data even after learning they didn’t provide consent, the FTC said.

“Surreptitious surveillance by data brokers undermines our civil liberties and puts servicemembers, union workers, religious minorities, and ...