To be followed via Bluetooth beacons: danger or convenience?


Manage WiFi and Bluetooth connections in iOS

When you walk through the shopping streets, you may be followed by so-called bluetooth beacons: posts that send signals and follow the shopping public. What are these Bluetooth beacons anyway? Is this a danger? Or is this purely for convenience?

In order to receive messages from Bluetooth beacons, you must always have your Bluetooth connection turned on and in many cases also have an app installed. But it sometimes happens that you do not need an app. In that case you will receive an unexpected notification with information, for example about events or events in the neighborhood. You can be sent to a website or app via such a notification. It can be a great marketing method for companies.

Bluetooth beacons and apps

When you install an app on Android or iOS, you can indicate which permissions you want to give during opening. And if you have entered something wrong, you can change it afterwards. If you indicate that it is ok for example to share your location with an app that shares this information with a bluetooth beacon, then the company will assume that this is OK. Anyone with the same app who does not approve this is therefore not included in the data collection.

Why you as a consumer agree with this data collection (companies know where you are at that moment, for example) is something to consider for yourself. Bluetooth beacons can be used for different purposes. You can use them as a navigation tool (both inside and outside), you can gather extra information about (local) companies and you can sometimes leave your opinion about shops and events when a survey has been set up.

Re-enable Bluetooth in iOS 11 via the Settings app

Companies and bluetooth beacons

As a consumer you can do something with it; what about companies? Bluetooth beacons seem to be attractive for data collection, especially for companies. In addition to helping people with navigation and communication, they can also be used as a powerful marketing tool because they know where you are and what you are looking at. This allows you to see personal advertisements. Or you can download specific information that is relevant to you at that time.

These are not the only options. Bluetooth beacons can also be used for loyalty programs, online payments, games and information in, for example, museums. In short: they are not just great tools for companies to serve up advertisements with. When service companies use it wisely and positively, they not only have to pose a threat to privacy and also offer some convenience.

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