From the Yomiuri Shimbun:
As so-called big data—various types of information gathered on a massive scale, such as smartphone locations—becomes widely used, controversy has arisen over how telecom operators should obtain the consent of individuals whose private information may be offered to a third party without their knowledge.
NTT Docomo, Inc. provides location information on about 500,000 of its smartphone service users to a third party, collecting the data via a map app.
The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry last month informed Docomo that it might be difficult for users to understand the company’s explanation of the app and its sharing of information with third parties well enough for the users to then give their consent to Docomo, as required by the Personal Information Protection Law.
Read more on The Japan News.