Data is a privilege
As pioneers in location technology, we believe it is our duty and responsibility to set best practices related to data privacy and the ethical use of data. The data we collect powers our apps and location platform solutions for enterprises responsibly, always protecting user privacy.
Transparency, Notice & Choice
We know that location data is some of the most sensitive data out there. That’s why people must be in control of what personal data they share and how it is used. We empower our customers to make choices and exercise their rights.
We believe that:
• Mobile apps that want to collect location data need to ask permission from consumers in everyday language.
• Consent should not be buried within terms and conditions.
• Alerts should be clear and identify the purposes for which data will be used.
• People should benefit from the collection of location data, so we only make our location technology available when there is a clear and legitimate use-case for location data.
Privacy by Design
All of our products, services, applications, processes, and procedures are designed and built with privacy in mind. Our Privacy Team closely partners with our Product and Engineering teams to ensure that our products are embedded with privacy-protecting features
Protecting sensitive places
We are committed to protecting against potential harms that may result from the abuse of location data, particularly around sensitive locations. In accordance with our long-standing internal policies, as well as our commitments under NAI’s Precise Location Information Solution Provider Voluntary Enhanced Standards, we maintain an inventory of sensitive location categories to ensure additional protections are in place to prevent the misuse of data associated with locations such as:
• Places of worship;
• Places primarily intended to be occupied by children;
• Medical facilities catering to sensitive conditions (including women’s reproductive health clinics);
• Domestic abuse shelters;
• Military bases, and
• Many other types of sensitive locations.
Call for Accountability
We are leading the call to action for accountability in our industry. Location technology can be a tool to serve the greater good, but regulation is needed to raise the bar. We are a vocal advocate for comprehensive federal privacy legislation to protect consumers from unethical, unfair, or opaque practices.
Your privacy choices
Foursquare knows that you take your privacy seriously. We do, too. We seek to be transparent about our data practices and give you control over your personal data.
Foursquare has established processes for you to exercise your privacy rights. You may have the right to (1) access/view your personal data, (2) copy/transfer your personal data, (3) correct/update your personal data, and (4) delete your personal data.
In addition, you may have the right to (1) opt out of the sale of your personal data, (2) opt out of the sharing of your personal data for cross-context behavioral advertising purposes, (3) opt out of the processing of your personal data for targeted advertising, and (4) limit the use and disclosure of your sensitive personal data.
Detailed instructions on the steps you can take are provided below.
View your personal data
City Guide
Log into the Foursquare City Guide app and click on the History tab to view your location history.
Swarm
Log into the Swarm app and view your location history on the home screen.
Developer Account
Log into your Developer account and go to My Account.
Request copies of your personal data
City Guide
Log into Foursquare Settings > Request Copy of My Data.
Swarm
Log into Foursquare Settings > Privacy Settings > Initiate Data Download Request.
Developer Account
Log into Foursquare Settings > Privacy Settings > “Initiate Data Download Request”.
To help protect your privacy and maintain security, you must be able to login to your City Guide or Swarm account in order to receive copies of your data. If you are unable to login to your City Guide or Swam account, please follow the steps to reset your password as outlined in our Support Center. In the event you signed up for City Guide or Swarm using an email address you no longer have access to, you will need to contact your email service provider to recover your email account.
Correct/Update your personal data
City Guide
Log into the Foursquare City Guide app and go to Settings > Edit profile.
Swarm
Log into the Swarm app and go to Settings > Edit profile.
Developer Account
Log into your Developer account and go to My Account.
Delete your personal data
City Guide
Log into Foursquare Settings > “Delete My Account”.
Swarm
Log into Foursquare Settings > “Delete My Account”.
Developer Account
Log into Foursquare Settings > Privacy Settings > “Delete your account”.
Opt Out of Sale/Sharing Of Your Data or Limit Use of Your Sensitive Data
If you would like to opt out of the sale/sharing of your personal data or would like to limit the user of your sensitive personal data, you can submit your request on Foursquare’s Opt-Out Page. To fulfill your request, you must provide us with a Mobile Advertising Identifier, which can be located as follows:
iOS Advertising Identifier (“IDFA”). If you use an iOS operating system, a third-party application is required to locate your Apple IDFA. We do not control such third-party tools and are not responsible for their content, privacy policies, or use of your personal information.
Android Advertising Identifier. If you use an Android operating system, open the Google Settings app on your Android device and select “Ads.” Your Advertising Identifier should be listed at the bottom of the screen.
If you choose to limit the use of your sensitive personal data, your location data will not be sold or shared.
Opt out of internet-based advertising
Desktop or Mobile Web Browser (US only). You may opt out of seeing interest-based ads from us or our third party advertising partners on your desktop browser and/or mobile web browser by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance’s (“DAA”) AdChoices or by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative’s (“NAI”) Consumer Opt-Out Choices.
Connected TVs (US only). You may also opt out of seeing interest-based ads on TV streaming devices and connected TVs by visiting the NAI’s Internet Connected TV Choices.
Mobile Apps (US only). You may opt out of seeing mobile app interest-based ads and ad delivery/reporting by downloading the DAA’s AppChoices mobile application, which is available here:
– DAA AppChoices iOS
– DAA AppChoices Android
– DAA AppChoices Amazon
You can learn more about how opting-out of interest-based advertising works by visiting our Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy.
Unsubscribe from Marketing Emails & Text Messages
Email. You can unsubscribe from marketing or promotional emails at any time by logging into your Foursquare account adjusting your preferences in Settings. You may also unsubscribe from marketing emails by following the instructions in the email. Please note that you cannot unsubscribe from updates regarding service terms or legal notices.
Text (SMS). If you have elected to receive SMS messages, you can always unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP in response to a message or by following the instructions in the SMS iOS Advertising Identifier (“IDFA”).
Other Ways to Exercise Your Privacy Rights
If you would like to delete your data and are unable to login to your City Guide or Swarm account, you may submit a request to delete your personal data via our Privacy Portal.
To help protect your privacy and maintain security, we will take steps to verify your identity before taking action on your request . We will not use the data you provide as part of your deletion request for any purpose other than to fulfill your request.
In the United States, you can exercise your privacy rights by calling us toll-free at (800) 673-0117.
Authorized Agents
Requests from authorized agents can be submitted via the Privacy Portal. Please include a notarized power of attorney and/or other signed permission that authorizes you to act on behalf of the individual you are representing. Requests from agents that do not submit sufficient proof that they have been authorized to act on behalf of an individual will be denied.
Privacy Rights Reporting
The following metrics reflect all privacy requests received from consumers worldwide between January 1 and December 31, 2023.
Requests for deletion
Received:
104,819
Completed in whole or in part:
104,767
Denied*:
52
Average days to complete:
21
Requests for access
Received:
19,488
Completed in whole or in part:
19,451
Denied*:
37
Average days to complete:
8
Requests to opt-out
Received:
1,197,964
Completed in whole or in part:
1,197,964
Denied*:
0
Average days to complete:
14
*Requests are denied because a request was not verifiable or FSQ was unable to locate an account and/or data related to the consumer who made the request.
Foursquare has approximately 42,817 monthly average EU users. This number is the best available information at the time of publication and will be updated from time to time.
Appeal:
You may appeal our decision with respect to a request you have submitted via the Privacy Portal.
Our privacy policies
Foursquare’s privacy policies explain how Foursquare collects, uses and shares personal data.
Cookies & similar technologies
Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored on your computer, mobile phone, or other devices. They are generally used to remember you and your preferences for one visit (through a “session cookie”) or multiple visits (using a “persistent cookie”).
Last Updated: April 05, 2024