For the July blog series, we asked some of Boston's greatest thought leaders to speak on a particularly complicated (but relevant) subject: tracking, targeting, and privacy. Their responses were surprising, fascinating, and applicable - and we think you'll find this series quite interesting! This post is by Gene K. Landy. Gene is a shareholder of the law firm of Ruberto, Israel & Weiner, P.C., www.riw.com, a MITX sponsor. Gene is Chair of the firm’s Technology Business Group and concentrates on digital technology and media companies. He advises clients on technology lice   nsing, business transactions, and privacy matters. He is the author of a 2008 comprehensive entrepreneur’s guide to digital technology and media law called The IT/Digital Legal Companion. You can contact Gene at gkl@riw.com.

Mobile Apps Collect and Provide Data to Marketers
Companies get valuable data about users through mobile apps. Depending on the app’s programming, data gathered can include location (accurate to within a few meters), the device ID (i.e., a unique device identifier), phone number, address book contacts, applications used, the user’s voice characteristics, information searched for, music played, etc. Use of the app may also indicate age, sex or other personal characteristics.