Privacy concerns emerge over ‘Istanbul Senin’ app’s data sharing with Israeli firm after Imamoglu’s arrest
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality introduces "Istanbul Senin" mobile app, providing access to institution's services from mobile phones, with then-Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu attending introductory meeting and giving a speech at Istanbul Congress Center in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 18, 2021. (AA Photo)
Following the arrest of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in connection with a series of criminal investigations, including bribery, embezzlement, and corruption, new revelations have emerged about the “Istanbul Senin” mobile app developed by the municipality. A report by the Türkiye daily has raised concerns over a tracking code integrated into the app, allegedly transferring user data to an Israeli-based company, AppsFlyer.
The app, launched by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 2021, provides various services, including access to public transportation, municipal services, and social assistance programs. However, the requirement for passengers to download the app to access free Wi-Fi services on public transportation has led to privacy concerns.
It is reported that the AppsFlyer tracking software shares data with over 2,000 business partners worldwide, heightening concerns about user data security, especially as citizens are reportedly forced to download the app to use public Wi-Fi.
Tracking software raises privacy questions
According to Türkiye daily, the integration of AppsFlyer within the app has raised alarms about the potential misuse of personal information.
Deniz Unay, an IT specialist, spoke to the newspaper about the importance of data privacy in digital services. He criticized the practice of forcing users to share personal data to access essential services, stating that it raises serious questions about transparency and user rights.
He emphasized, “Data privacy is crucial in digital services today. Forcing users to download a specific application and share their personal data to access a service raises concerns regarding transparency and user rights.”
Unay also pointed out that AppsFlyer had previously been involved in legal controversies in the United States for collecting user data without consent.
The app’s user agreement mentions that data may be shared with business partners, but it does not specify who these partners are. This lack of transparency has sparked significant legal and ethical concerns. Experts argue that forcing users of a public service app to share personal data violates privacy norms and user consent practices.
İstanbul Senin uygulamamız artık daha çok alanda kullanılıyor. İBB WiFi’a bu uygulama üzerinden kolaylıkla bağlanabilir başka olanaklardan da faydalanabilir, hizmetlere erişebilirsiniz. https://t.co/FlNHrCr1qU pic.twitter.com/d52U0aEAfa
— Ekrem İmamoğlu (@ekrem_imamoglu) July 24, 2022
Concerns over data sharing and transparency
Further scrutiny of the app’s data-sharing practices came from the independent platform Exodus Privacy, which reported that AppsFlyer shares data with more than 2,000 business partners globally and collects data without user consent.
The platform also confirmed that AppsFlyer is based in Israel, a detail that has drawn significant attention.
As the pressure mounts on Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, there is growing demand for transparent information about which countries are receiving users’ personal data. Critics are calling on the municipality to address the mounting concerns regarding the security and privacy of user data within the app.
