New York City Tells Ad Firm to Remove Beacon Devices Hidden in Phone Booths

New York City allowed a company that controls thousands of phone booth advertising displays in the city to install beacon transmitters in numerous undisclosed locations in Manhattan

Beacons are Bluetooth devices that emit signals to smartphones; in theory they can be used to track people's movements and push advertisements. The installation of the beacons, manufactured by San Diego company Gimbal, came without public knowledge or consultation, according to a report from BuzzFeed

In light of the report, City Hall has apparently asked the company responsible — Titan — to remove the transmitters Read more...

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