The fitness app Strava could lead to users' home addresses being exposed, according tonew research.
It’s part of a concerning trend of software that leaks data, experts say.
The app’s map shows the route every Strava user takes with time stamps.
Someone using a map app on their smartphone.I going to make a greatest artwork as I can, by my head, my hand and by my mind / Getty Images
Strava hides activity data for private profiles in its database.
… seemingly anonymous data is not truly private and can leak information about users.
“It demonstrates that seemingly anonymous data is not truly private and can leak information about users.”
Someone using a smartphone as a guide in a city.d3sign / Getty images
This isn’t the first timethat online maps have spilled user information.
The researchers claimed that the leaked data made users trackable, potentially over their lifetime.
He suggested you go into the privacy options and assess the options with a “worst-case scenario” mindset.
History has shown they don’t care."
Someapps can allow you not to share your information, but that option usually comes with limited features.
The Strava researchers noted that they used voter registration data to verify their results.
“In many states, this data is public,” Weidman added.
“For many users, a simple Google search will reveal their address.
