Shops picking up location from my mobile

minnie_cooper

I was recently out shopping and got an email from M&S about deals in M&S next to where I was. It would seem that they knew where I was. Could this be from my giving them my mobile number at M&S online and them picking up my location? They say it is just coincidence but it seems one hell of a coincidence? Anyone else had similar happen to them?

neilmcl

If you're connected to the internet, either by mobile data or wifi they'll be getting your location via that.

elsien

Apps on your phone such as voucher sites which you've allowed locations for? You can turn location services off in your settings if you prefer.

Helix

elsien wrote: »

Apps on your phone such as voucher sites which you've allowed locations for? You can turn location services off in your settings if you prefer.

You would have to turn off Wi-Fi as well. Your phone is constantly trying to find Wi-FI hotspots it can connect to and while it does it sends a unique identifier for your phone (the MAC address). If you have ever used free Wi-Fi and had to register to do so then they can match up your details to your phones identifier. Most shops use third parties for Wi-Fi like O2, so you don't even need to have used M&S wi-fi before for them to be able to match the details up.

mo786uk

I very much doubt M and S have access to technology which allows them to scan and see what SIM cards are in their area.

The posters suggestion about it maybe being an app seems more likely.

pendragon_arther

So it's nothing to do with the phone's tracker which you can disable?

mattyprice4004

Once I got an email from HSBC, which was weird because I was near a HSBC! Let's ignore the fact they're everywhere. :rotfl:

It's just co incidence.

paddyrg

Coincidences happen - think of the number of emails you get from shops, and the number of shops you pass in a day, once in a while, they'll collide.

M&S can't connect phone number and SIM number, not SIM number and email address, nor access accurate location data (it would have to be GPS, not cell tower)..

There is a technology that American malls use to track you through the mall via bluetooth (if on) or by listening for wifi searching on devices. It's not usually tied to identity per se though, more about footfall patterns.

hcb42

Doesnt vouchercloud push out offers if you are within a certain perimeter?

20aday

Could well be a 'beacon' placed within the Marks and Spencer store that picked you up too?

I know Apple stores have such a technology (if you've installed their app) and are nearby.

[Deleted User]

This is quite a scary idea.., I tend to make sure location services are off on my phone to save the battery but will be keeping an eye out for this kind of thing. Thanks for posting.