The Federal Trade Commission took a dim view of one of the most popular mobile apps after discovering the Brightest Flashlight Free app deceived consumers by sharing their location information without their knowledge.
Goldenshores Technologies, makers of the flashlight app for Android, settled with the FTC over charges it shared users' precise location and unique device identifier with third parties and ad networks, even after consumers opted not to share their information.
Since February 2011, the app has been downloaded to more than 50 million Android phones.
"This flashlight app left [consumers] in the dark about how their information was going to be used," said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection.
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