Mozilla developing geolocation data service for public use

October 29, 2013

Mozilla is working on a geolocation data service using cell tower and Wi-Fi signals to give developers what it says will be a more privacy-aware option than current alternatives. The service, which is in its early stages, would be mobile-focused, though laptops without GPS hardware could also use it to quickly identify their approximate location, the Firefox browser maker announced Monday. Geolocation data constitutes a crowded space—commercial players include Neustar IP Intelligence, MaxMind, IPligence and Google. But there is still no large public service option, Mozilla said. Also, Mozilla’s standing as an open-source software developer puts it in a better position to grapple with issues around privacy, the company said. “None of the current companies offering this type of service have any incentive to improve on privacy,” Mozilla said in its Wiki page devoted to the project. “In order to do this assessment, we need to understand the technological challenges and get real data,” the company said. To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Link: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058741/mozilla-developing-geolocation-data-service-for-public-use.html#tk.rss_all