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Sonic games on Android platform may have leaked user location data, SEGA investigating

By Cosmin Vasile

Published: Jan 24, 2018, 4:11 PM

Android

Games

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Last week, security company Pradeo issued a statement that claimed many of SEGA's Sonic games listed on Google Play Store are leaking user location data and device info. Among the mentioned titles – Sonic Dash, Sonic the Hedgehog Classic, and Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom are said to have security issues that could have affected between 120 million and 600 million users.

Those numbers are mostly based on the number of downloads each of these games have accumulated on the Google Play Store, so their accuracy might be a bit off.

According to Pradeo, each of these games have 15 vulnerabilities on average, and that the data are sent to an average of 11 distant servers including 3 uncertified ones.

Among the distant servers reached by the affected SEGA apps when sending data, we can see that most have a tracking and marketing purpose. However, what caught Pradeo’s researchers attention is the fact that these apps are sending information to 3 uncertified servers of which 2 are a variant of Android/Inmobi.D, and represent a potential threat.

Following Pradeo's report, SEGA said in a statement for Zdnet that it is now investigating these claims and, if true, will address any technical or security issues.

If any third-party partners are collecting, transmitting, or using data in a manner that is not permitted by our agreement with the third party or Sega's mobile privacy policy, prompt corrective action will be taken.

Although we can't say for certain that these Sonic games have been affected by security issues, it's better to uninstall them until SEGA completes its investigation.

source: Pradeo, ZDNet

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Cosmin, a tech journalist with a career spanning over a decade, brought a wealth of experience to PhoneArena. His expertise lies in brands like Samsung and Nokia, and he has a keen interest in innovative technologies. After a brief stint in PR, Cosmin returned to tech journalism in 2016, committed to delivering clear and objective news. When he's not writing or appearing as a guest on TV and radio shows, Cosmin enjoys playing RPGs, watching Netflix, and nurturing his passion for history and travel.