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I am totally fine with this; one of the things (I) assumed 4sq would do with all the checkin data.

It is strange this article makes it seem like some dirty little secret that companies like 4sq need to make money.

Either the product costs money, or you are the product.

The current TOS clearly states that they do not sell user data. Until that TOS is changed they have no right to sell their user data to advertisers. Once it does change, which I'm sure will be soon, the question will be whether or not they have the right to sell user data that was collected before the TOS was changed.

they will probably do something sneaky like change the TOS, and tell users by email "We changed the TOS, and all data before it was changed can now be sold unless you click on this link, press Disapprove, and confirm via email and text that you disapproved"

It's not some dirty secret companies make money off of ads (that's why we're in business.) It's a dirty secret to make money off of ads using customer data and not tell your customers about it.

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