What type of personal information can be collected by a mobile application without consent?

What type of personal information can be collected by a mobile application without consent?
A . Full name
B . Geolocation
C . Phone number
D . Accelerometer data

View Answer

Answer: D

Explanation:

Reference: https://www.enisa.europa.eu/publications/privacy-and-data-protection-in-mobile-applications/at_download/fullReport

Accelerometer data is a type of personal information that can be collected by a mobile application without consent, according to some studies and reports. Accelerometer data measures the movement and orientation of the device, and can be used for various purposes, such as fitness tracking, gaming, navigation, and authentication. However, accelerometer data can also reveal sensitive information about the user’s behavior, activity, location, and identity, without their knowledge or permission. For example, some researchers have shown that accelerometer data can be used to infer the user’s gender, age, health condition, personality traits, and even passwords. Therefore, accelerometer data poses a significant privacy risk for mobile users, and there is a lack of clear and consistent regulations and guidelines on how to collect, use, and protect this type of data.

Reference: Privacy Threats through Ultrasonic Side Channels on Mobile Devices, IEEE Accelerometer Data as a Biometric Identifier, IEEE Privacy Leaks from Smartphone Motion Sensors, IEEE

How Your Smartphone’s Motion Sensors Can Reveal Your PIN, Forbes