Effective Date: 02/01/2021
This Services Privacy Policy applies to Skyhook Holding, Inc. (f/k/a TruePosition, Inc.) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Skyhook Wireless, Inc. (together, "Skyhook"). Skyhook values the personal privacy of our customers, prospects and end users, and we are committed to maintaining the trust placed in us by our customers since Skyhook’s founding 2003. A critical part of that trust involves transparency – the responsibility to be clear about the information which we may collect, how we intend to process and store that data, and how we may use this data. Accordingly, this Services Privacy Policy explains how Skyhook will collect and use information that is obtained from our location-based services technology or transferred to us from partners (the “Skyhook Services”).
This Services Privacy Policy applies to any and all use of the Skyhook Services, including our Precision Location suite of products. It covers the data we collect from the Skyhook Services, and other data we compile from third parties in order to provide the Skyhook Services. It does not cover the Skyhook Websites. All Website actions that do not form a part of the Skyhook Services are covered by our separate Website Privacy Policy. We encourage you to read that policy if you have questions regarding online data collection through our Websites.
One additional limitation applies to this Services Privacy Policy. As a technology and data enablement provider to mobile devices, application providers, and advertisers, Skyhook does not have a direct relationship with end users of devices or mobile applications which may incorporate the Skyhook Services. We impose strict contractual requirements on our customers that require adherence to privacy requirements that are generally more stringent than common industry practice. However, the ultimate nature, scope and use of information that is collected from users of devices or mobile applications is subject to the privacy policies of our Customers, and not Skyhook. If you have questions or concerns about data collected by a particular device or application, you should contact that provider or refer to such device or application-specific privacy policy.
So that you can better understand the types of Skyhook Services that are available, and how and why data collection is important to the provision of these services, below is a brief description of the main types of products and services offered by Skyhook.
Location Determination: Skyhook offers a software (SDK) and cloud-based (API) technology platform that may be used to calculate the approximate geographic location of a device. See http://www.skyhookwireless.com/products/precision-location. The Skyhook geolocation technology determines the location of a device by interfacing with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (such as GPS), as well as by utilizing the IP address of the device and nearby Wi-Fi access points and cell towers visible to the device. This information is then processed on the device or on Skyhook’s servers to calculate and return the approximate geolocation (i.e., latitude/longitude) of the device. We may also receive or assign a unique device identifier to location requests.
Geofencing: Skyhook’s on-device software may also be used to determine a device’s proximity to nearby points of interest, or whether a device has entered or exited a pre-defined geographic perimeter. For example, an application developer may use Skyhook software to understand when a user is in proximity of a coffee shop, in order to deliver a relevant coupon, advertisement or different user experience.
When end users engage with mobile devices or customers that integrate or leverage the Skyhook Services (including via SDK, API or otherwise), Skyhook may collect data that may (but does not necessarily) include the following:
Skyhook may also receive information from our partners, which are usually mobile advertising networks, location data aggregators and application developers/publishers. These partners may deliver mobile software, services or advertising onto your mobile device and, through them, we may receive geolocation information (latitude/longitude), usually including a unique identifier or device ID, a time stamp, and (in some cases) an IP address.
In general, Skyhook uses the information collected in order to operate, maintain and deliver the Skyhook Services and to develop new products, services or datasets. In particular, Skyhook uses the information generated or collected as follows:
Skyhook requires all clients and third parties using the Skyhook location and context services to provide notice regarding data collection and use, and to obtain all opt-ins, consents or permissions required, including without limitation any data such party collects, uses, and/or discloses from its users, the provision of such data to Skyhook, and the other party’s use of such data.
In addition, Skyhook also allows users to directly opt-out from Skyhook’s Services as follows:
Location Information: For users who do not want any location data to be collected, the application, device, or operating system provides controls for disabling all location services. This choice may limit the functionality of the device or installed applications.
Advertising ID: If you wish to opt out of the Skyhook’s use of your Advertising ID for any use, you may opt-out by clicking here. If you choose to opt out your Device ID(s), Skyhook will delete any collected data about this Device ID from Skyhook database, and quarantine the device ID so that Skyhook does not collect any data about this Device ID in the future or return or share any information about the Device ID to API or SDK requests.
Skyhook also respects platform-level controls and restrictions, so that if you disable targeted advertising through controls offered by the application and/or through the iOS or Android “Limit Ad Tracking” or “Opt out of interest-based advertising” settings, we will abide fully by those setting. More information on how to access these settings is provided on the Skyhook opt out page, which can be accessed by clicking here. If a user chooses the “Limit Ad Tracking” or “Opt out of interest-based advertising” settings on iOS or Android, Skyhook will quarantine the device ID so that Skyhook does not collect any data about this device ID and will not return or share any information about the Device ID in response to API or SDK requests, instead returning an error code when the device ID has been opted out. Skyhook will also delete any encrypted device identified data from the opted-out user’s device.
MAC Addresses: If you wish to opt out of Skyhook’s use of your MAC address to provide location, you may opt-out by clicking here. If you choose to opt out, Skyhook will (if applicable) delete the positioned record for that MAC address from the Skyhook database and will blacklist that MAC address so that we will not process or use that MAC address information in the future.
IP Addresses: If you wish to opt out of Skyhook’s use of your IP Address, you may opt-out by clicking here. If you choose to opt out, Skyhook will (if applicable) remove the positioned record for that IP address from the Skyhook database and will blacklist that IP address so that we will not process or use that IP address information in the future.
Data on Device: Skyhook may store an encrypted local cache of all Wi-Fi access points and cell towers in a surrounding area on the device to allow the device’s location to be determined without connecting to our servers. A temporary encrypted history of scanned Wi-Fi access points and cell towers nearby may also be kept in memory on the user’s device and later transmitted to our servers. A maximum of 100 historic scans will be retained on device. This encrypted cache information will be deleted from the device the next time the Skyhook technology connects to the Skyhook servers, when the application terminates, or when the device is turned off.
Data Retention: For all device identified data (i.e., location history that is associated with an Advertising ID or another persistent Device ID, hashed or otherwise), Skyhook will retain such data as follows: (a) for up to two (2) years to provide our services described above, and (b) for internal business purposes (e.g., for developing and bench-marking technical improvements, for regression and quality testing, and for accounting, auditing, or legal purposes) for such period as Skyhook considers reasonably necessary to protect its legal or business interests. After that time, some of the information we have (such as anonymous location logs) may be aggregated and anonymized for statistical purposes and stored indefinitely. Other anonymous location data that is not associated with a persistent unique identifier, device ID or any other personally identifiable information may be stored indefinitely and used for purposes of improving and maintaining our location service.
Data Security: Skyhook is committed to protecting the security of information that is collected by its technology. We follow generally accepted industry standards to protect the information submitted to us, both during transmission and once we receive it. However, no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of all information.
Skyhook may share information that we collect from our Location Services or obtain via partners as follows:
Except as described in this Privacy Policy, Skyhook will not share any information that is collected by the Skyhook services with third parties.
The Skyhook Services are not developed or intended for persons under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly solicit or collect any personally identifiable information including from children under the age of 13, nor do we knowingly market our Services to children under the age of 13.
As of May 25, 2018, with respect to individuals in the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland who use the Skyhook Services, the following policies, clarifications and rules also apply.
Key Terms
“Personal Data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of such natural person.
“Processing” means any operation or set of operations which is performed on Personal Data or on sets of Personal Data, whether or not by automated means, such as collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure or destruction.
Purposes and Legal Bases for Processing Personal Data
Skyhook processes data for the purposes as set forth in this Services Privacy Policy, including to provide the Skyhook Services to our customers. To fulfill these purposes, Skyhook may access information, which may include Personal Data, to provide the Skyhook Services, to develop additional products or features, or in response to contractual requirements. Please see the sections above for additional details on how we collect, use, disclose and share data, make automated decisions and retain data, including Personal Data.
In general, the lawful bases for Skyhook’s Processing of Personal Data are: (i) informed consent, including as obtained via partners through contractual requirements and/or established consent frameworks or (ii) any other applicable legal bases, such as our legitimate interest in and compliance with industry practices.
In particular, with respect to processing, retention and use of any device-identified location data which may constitute Personal Data (i.e., location history that is associated with an Advertising ID or another persistent Device ID, hashed or otherwise – as opposed to data which is aggregated and not able to associated with any particular device), Skyhook relies upon the informed consent of the end user, as received through our customers and supply partners.
With respect to the collection of the approximate location of wireless hotspot information (MAC address, received signal strength, and location-related information), Skyhook relies upon legitimate interest as a basis for collection and processing.
With respect to the collection of IP addresses and approximate location associated with their use, Skyhook is not an Internet Service Provider (or ISP) providing the connectivity and does not maintain or have access to information linking the IP address to an individual subscriber. Nevertheless, to the extent that such information might constitute Personal Data as Skyhook uses it to develop a coarse (greater than 100m) geolocation position, Skyhook relies among other things on legitimate interest as a basis for processing and collection.
The foregoing statements of legal bases for processing are intended to be non-exhaustive, and do not preclude Skyhook’s reliance on additional legal bases either now or in the future.
Additional Rights for Individuals in Europe
You may have one or more of the following additional rights available to you:
To exercise any of the above-listed rights (with the exception of the right to lodge a complaint with a DPA, which you may do directly to a DPA), please contact us at privacy@skyhook.com. We will process any requests in accordance with applicable law and within a reasonable period of time. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
Compelled Disclosures.
Skyhook may be required to disclose Personal Data in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including disclosures necessary to meet national security or law enforcement requests or requirements, or pursuant to judicial orders, subpoenas, or similar legal process.
Skyhook is a global organization, with legal entities, business processes, and technical systems that operate across borders. The information we collect is stored and processed on cloud servers (e.g., Amazon Web Services) in regions comprising the United States and other locations around the world. We may transfer information that is collected to affiliated entities, or to other third parties across borders and to other locations around the world. Use of the Skyhook technology and services constitutes consent to the transfer of the information described in this Privacy Policy to locations that may be outside of the country in which you live, and such places may be in the United States. In particular, if you are located within the European Union, please note that personal data received by Skyhook may be transferred outside the European Union (the “EU”)/ European Economic Area (the “EEA”). If we transfer personal data from the EEA to third countries, we utilize standard contractual clauses authorized by the Commission of the European Union (“CEU”), or other transfer mechanisms determined lawful by the CEU or EEA Member State supervisory authorities in connection with such transfers.
In addition, although it is no longer in force, Skyhook Holding, Inc. (f/k/a TruePosition, Inc.) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Skyhook Wireless, Inc. (together, Skyhook) still comply with the principles of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework and the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use, and retention of personal information transferred from the European Union and Switzerland to the United States. Skyhook has certified to the Department of Commerce that it adheres to the Privacy Shield Principles. If there is any conflict between the terms in this privacy policy and the Privacy Shield Principles, the Privacy Shield Principles shall govern. To learn more about the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework, please visit our Privacy Shield page and/or view our certification at www.privacyshield.gov.
Skyhook is accountable for information that it receives under Privacy Shield and subsequently transfers to a third party, including third-parties that Skyhook engages to process this information on its behalf. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction over Skyhook’s compliance with the Privacy Shield.
In accordance with the Privacy Shield Principles (the "Principles"), Skyhook has established procedures to periodically verify its implementation and compliance. Skyhook conducts an annual self-assessment of its practices regarding Personal Information intended to verify that the assertions Skyhook makes about its practices are true and that such practices have been implemented as represented. In addition, in compliance with the Privacy Shield Principles, Skyhook commits to resolve complaints about our collection or use of your personal information. EU and Swiss individuals with inquiries or complaints regarding our Privacy Shield policy should first contact Rodman Forter, General Counsel, at privacy@skyhook.com or by mail at 12 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210.
Skyhook has further committed to refer unresolved Privacy Shield complaints to JAMS, an alternative dispute resolution provider located in the United States. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint from us, or if we have not addressed your complaint to your satisfaction, please visit here for more information or to file a complaint. The services of JAMS are provided at no cost to you.
For residual complaints not fully or partially resolved by other means, you may be able to invoke binding arbitration as detailed in the Principles available here.
Our privacy practices are aligned with the requirements of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). If you reside in California, we are required to provide additional information to you about how we use and disclose your Personal Information, and you may have additional rights with regard to how we use your Personal Information.
Personal Information. Consistent with section 5 above, we collect certain categories and specific pieces of information about individuals that are (or may be) considered “personal information” under the CCPA. Specifically, we may collect, receive or process the following types of personal information:
Sources. The categories of third parties from whom we may collect or receive the Personal Information described above include the following:
Purposes. We collect your Personal Information for the business and commercial purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
Your Rights. Subject to certain exceptions, as a California resident, you have the right to:
If you are a California resident and wish to exercise any of the rights described in this section, you may use the following methods to submit a request in relation to your Personal Information:
Please note that in order to opt-out your Mobile Ad ID, MAC Address or IP Address, you need to provide us with that information or use the “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link and web, page as we do not have the ability to connect your name with your device(s).
To the extent that you elect to designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf, the above methods to submit a request apply. Please note that you are limited by law in the number of requests you may submit per year.
Skyhook may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will also revise the “last updated” date at the beginning of the policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we collect, use, and disclose data that we collect.
If you have any questions, concerns or complaint regarding our privacy practices, or if you’d like to exercise your choices or rights, you can contact us:
We will make every effort to resolve your concerns.
Skyhook Privacy Policy Version: 2020 v.2
