The rise of the smartphone combined with the growth in the mobile internet has brought significant opportunities to consumers and the industry. However, it has also brought much concern over mobile users’ privacy and the security of their personal information.
Consumers, regulators and legislators are concerned by press headlines on mobile applications (apps) that access, download or share a user’s private and personal data without their awareness, choice or control.
This has led key legislators and regulators around the world to start to investigate and consider what action to take. Some have already declared their intention to regulate for ‘mobile app privacy’ if industry cannot demonstrate it will address current problems.
So what is the GSM Association doing?
The GSMA recently conducted research among more than 4 000 mobile users in the UK, Singapore and Spain to find out how much they cared about their privacy. We found that more than 92% of people are concerned about apps using their data without their 
awareness or consent. We also found the majority of people value location services and advertising but still want transparency, choice and control over these services and how their data is used. They want to be able to switch settings on and off in simple ways.
The GSMA has published a privacy infographic about how users trust mobile operators and who they hold responsible when things go wrong. Our research findings demonstrate that privacy matters to mobile users.
We have also reviewed the technology and legal landscapes for approaches to privacy. What we have found is great inconsistency and a patchwork of approaches or laws. It’s clear that a patchwork approach faces significant challenges in today’s globally connected and interdependent mobile ecosystem. Users want and deserve the consistent treatment of their privacy. Industry wants and needs consistency and clarity in law to help innovation in technology and information use.
The GSMA is taking a lead in helping to shape the way privacy is advanced, managed and protected across the mobile ecosystem. This includes:
- promoting industry collaboration and dialogue among mobile carriers and the broader ecosystem.
- publishing Mobile Privacy Principles and privacy guidelines for mobile app development and working with a number of members to implement these principles
- liaising with academics, application developers and industry leaders to investigate how we can give users simple, easy to use and device appropriate ways to manage their privacy
- welcoming all opportunities to engage with our members in Latin America and work with them to address current or upcoming concerns in relation to privacy and associated regulatory policies affecting mobile.
The Latin American Agenda
Data Protection and Privacy regulators, policy makers, experts and civil society representatives from around the world come together at the 34th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in Uruguay from 23 to 24 October 2012. Hosted by the Data Protection authority in Uruguay, this year’s theme is “Technology and Privacy in Balance”. Key issues such as geolocation, online behavioural advertising, privacy and devices, and smart data will be discussed. We’ve been advised that mobile will also be a key discussion point during the conference. We recommend members attend and engage in dialogue on key developments and challenges and help debate ‘technology and privacy in balance’.
Notice: GSMA will be attending this year’s conference and would welcome the opportunity to meet with members from Latin America who will also be there. If you are planning to attend and would like to meet with us and other GSMA members please contact Pat Walshe or Yiannis Theodorou.