Despite stories to the contrary from sources not connected to the actual information, if a user opts out of location tracking on AccuWeather, no GPS coordinates are collected or passed without further opt-in permission from the user.
Other data, such as Wi-Fi network information that is not user information, was for a short period available on the Reveal SDK, but was unused by AccuWeather. In fact, AccuWeather was unaware the data was available to it. Accordingly, at no point was the data used by AccuWeather for any purpose.
AccuWeather and Reveal Mobile are committed to following the standards and best practices of the industry. We also recognize this is a quickly evolving field and what is best practice one day may change the next. Accordingly, we work to update our practices regularly.
To avoid any further misinterpretation, while Reveal is updating its SDK, AccuWeather will be removing the Reveal SDK from its iOS app until it is fully compliant with appropriate requirements. Once reinstated, the end result should be that zero data is transmitted back to Reveal Mobile when someone opts out of location sharing. In the meanwhile, AccuWeather had already disabled the SDK, pending removal of the SDK and then later reinstatement.
Reveal has stated that the SDK could be misconstrued, and they assure that no reverse engineering of locations was ever conducted by any information they gathered, nor was that the intent.
AccuWeather will to update its practices, communications and ULAs to be transparent and current with evolving standards. AccuWeather and Reveal continue to enhance methods for handling data and strive to provide superior, seamless, and secure user experiences.
We are grateful to have a supportive community that highlights areas where we can optimize and be more transparent.
Source: AccuWeather
MacDailyNews Take: Regardless, if you want a reliable go-to weather app, you only need one: Dark Sky.
SEE ALSO:
AccuWeather app caught sending iOS user location data, even when location sharing is off – August 22, 2017
You’re going to be more transparent? Yeah, we trust you AccuWeather, why wouldn’t we?
I tend to believe AccuWeather in this instance. If they intended to break the rules, then they would have grabbed more data, and more valuable data.
While the Reveal SDK was a bit sloppy, I do not see any reason to believe there was ill intent. People are often too quick to jump to a conclusion these days, and that tendency is spreading like a disease. We are evolving to become a binary culture in the U.S. – us and them.
Do you really believe all those free apps especially games with TV commercials for iPhones and Android are really free. No one is spending millions to create and market these “free” apps. They more about you and where you go then your family.
Damage is already done. It’s too late to regain trust.