Privacy challenges of open APIs: Case location based services

Location coordinates provide interesting context data for various purposes. In the early days location data was mainly connected to emergency services, but nowadays several social and commercial applications can benefit from users´ position information. Smartphones may reveal location data directly to application developers, but due to the latest developments any mobile can be traced using operators´ infrastructure. However, there are several technology, business, usability and privacy challenges to be solved before successful and widespread location based services (LBS) can be offered. This paper focuses on the usability and privacy challenges, utilizing both operator and internet location services. The LBS challenges are evaluated and then followed by a definition of a location broker model. The implementation of the corresponding proof of concept is described in detail. Finally the conclusions with future research proposals are presented.