Beware of Being Tracked When Entering Public Wi-Fi in Shopping Malls
Most of us don’t follow the terms and conditions that come with free Wi-Fi and just click yes so we can go online. However, when you log on to the mall’s Wi-Fi network, you may be agreeing to let them track you.
The Wall Street Journal reports that many mall owners use your location data to keep track of, for example, where you eat, how much time you spend in certain parts of the mall, and which stores you visit. They can also match this data with your social media accounts or email for targeted advertising.
Actually, this is nothing new – we already told you that retail stores track you using your smartphone . However, you may be more likely to use Wi-Fi in a mall rather than a standalone Nordstrom store, as signal strength is often rubbish inside malls. This is something to keep in mind the next time you think about logging into their Wi-Fi. For more information, follow the links below.
The mall follows you as you shop
Shopping malls track your every move | Wall Street Journal via Consumerist