Mobile phone apps collect detailed location data, everyday. What it does with that data has now come to light. Some 75 companies receive anonymous location data mined from smartphone apps. Many of those companies say that they track up to 200 million devices in the United States alone. While this may sound shocking, there is currently no federal law against the collection and sale of location data. Tell Congress to stand up for data privacy, make it illegal to collect and sell location data.

Any app where location services is turned on, like weather apps and map apps, can be used to collect and later sell location data. A recent New York Times investigation shows just how intimate this data can be. A teacher’s location data showed how long she was at the doctor and every place she’s been: from her ex-boyfriend’s, to work, to the airport, and even a hike she went on.

Location data is collected without phone numbers or other personal information, but the data collected is tied to a unique ID number. That ID number allows individuals with access to the raw data to identify a person without their consent. It can be done through targeting someone’s residence, work, or other places they hangout.

Once collected, location data is sold to retailers and advertisers for targeted advertising. Just in 2018, location-targeted advertising reached $21 billion in sales. Even IBM is getting involved, by purchasing the Weather Channel’s apps. Everyone has a right to privacy, but big companies are profiting off of location data. Tell Congress to act now to protect the privacy of Americans.

There is no federal law limiting the collection and sale of consumer location data. Tell Congress to protect data privacy, companies shouldn’t be able to buy and sell location data.