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windows-phone-7marketplace

Is it required to notify a user and/or provide an opt-out when using location services?

I'm reading the Phone's location in one of my applications, and I don't know if I must ask user the question "This app uses your location, do you want run it?" before he run my application the first time? I heard about that apps without it can't be certified on Marketplace. must add it or not?

Solution

  • Per se, it is not required that you let the user know that location is used - there are application that passed certification with this. From an ethical standpoint, it might be a different question. When your application is downloaded, the user is alerted about the fact that it is using location services.

    The certification requirements on this state:

    6.1 - Location Aware Application

    Users have the ability to turn off the Location Service on the phone from the System Settings page. Location aware applications must remain responsive when the Location Service is turned off on the phone.

    Recommendations:

    • Present a user-friendly message to indicate that location data is not available.

    In addition, however:

    2.7.2

    The privacy policy of your application must inform users about how location data from the Location Service API is used and disclosed and the controls that users have over the use and sharing of location data. This can be hosted within or directly linked from the application.

    2.7.3

    Your application must provide in-application settings that allow the user to enable and disable your application's access to and use of location from the Location Service API.

    2.7.4

    If your application publishes or makes available location data obtained from the Location Service API to any other service or other person (including advertising networks), your application must implement a method to obtain opt-in consent. To "implement a method to obtain 'opt-in' consent," the application must:

    (a) first describe how the location information will be used or shared;

(b) obtain the user's express permission before publishing the location information as described; and

(c) provide a mechanism through which the user can later opt out of having the location information published. Your application must

    periodically remind users or provide a visual indicator that location data is being sent to any other service or person.

    Bottom line - additional notification is required if you plan on publishing or storing the location.