By: Debbie Friez
Mobile phone advertising could highjack your contacts, reports CNN Money. Often disguised as a text, they sometimes change browser settings and bookmarks and then upload contact lists. Although it’s not a big problem, yet, it is growing.
“My phone is something incredibly personal and I try to be careful about what I download so this doesn't happen. … Knowing about the apps that can take information from your phone without asking you doesn't surprise me. I just hope that other people are as careful as myself and my friends so they don't get hacked.” said millennial Meghan Sager McMahon, account supervisor, NMS.
Knowing this concern, advertising agencies need to vet all apps and providers as legitimate and non-invasive, added Gary Duke, EVP, chief brand strategist for MDB Communications.
There is concern Facebook‘s new mobile ads are too invasive, because they are basing on them where the user is browsing while on the phone. Duke said Facebook’s approach is a reality in today’s world. He said, “If you use Yelp, you can probably expect to get an ad from Yelp on your mobile device. It’s acceptable as long as you have the opportunity to opt-out.”
Twitter is also looking to ramp-up their mobile advertising by enhancing their promoted tweets and basing it on engagements. Duke called Twitter the “great waterfall” and says it’s a prime location to place advertising. The consumer should realize it is perfectly reasonable to expect ads on your mobile Twitter app.