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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works, Examples
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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works,
`Examples
`
`By
`
`THE INVESTOPEDIA TEAM
`Reviewed by ERIC ESTEVEZ
`Fact checked by DIANE COSTAGLIOLA
`
` Updated January 25, 2021
`
`What Is Geolocation?
`Geolocation is the ability to track a device’s whereabouts using GPS, cell phone
`towers, WiFi access points or a combination of these. Since devices are used by
`individuals, geolocation uses positioning systems to track an individual’s
`whereabouts down to latitude and longitude coordinates, or more practically, a
`physical address. Both mobile and desktop devices can use geolocation.
`
`KEY TAKEAWAYS
`Geolocation refers to the use of location technologies such as GPS or IP
`addresses to identify and track the whereabouts of connected
`electronic devices.
`
`Because these devices are often carried on an individual's person,
`geolocation is often used to track the movements and location of
`people and surveillance.
`
`Geolocation is used extensively in the financial services industry to
`help prevent fraud and give customers information about nearby
`services, but may also pose unwanted privacy issues.
`
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`Apple v. Geoscope
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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works, Examples
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`Understanding Geolocation
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`Geolocation has a broad variety of uses and methods. IP addresses may be used
`to determine country, region, state, city or postal code. Geolocation can be used
`to determine time zone and exact positioning coordinates, such as for tracking
`wildlife or cargo shipments. If you have ever shopped online and wanted to find
`an item in a nearby store, ordered food online after searching for a local
`restaurant, or sought out the closest ATM, you have used geolocation services. 
`
`Examples: Geolocation in Financial Services
`Geolocation is especially useful when applied to financial services. For
`example:
`
`Payments: Financial institutions with mobile apps whose users have enabled
`location tracking can match the location of a customer’s phone with the
`location where the customer’s payment card is being used to detect possible
`payment card theft. If the two locations do not match, the fraud can be
`detected immediately and the card shut down. If the two locations do match,
`the customer can avoid experiencing any service disruption that might
`normally happen when the payment card provider detects unusual card
`activity.
`
`Insurance claims processing: An insurance claims adjusting app can use
`geolocation technology to substantiate a policyholder’s location and minimize
`the number of fraudulent or exaggerated claims the insurer receives. A visual
`claims platform allows policyholders to work with their insurance agents using
`a web-based real-time communications platform to evaluate the extent of loss
`and determine a fair amount for the claim. Customers use their phone cameras
`to engage in a live video call with their insurance agents to assess damage. The
`agent can take screen shots, zoom in, or use the phone’s flashlight to get
`additional details and create records of the damage for the customer’s file. This
`technology creates an environment where more customers are satisfied with
`the claims payments they receive and prevents them from filing complaints
`with regulators, resulting in better outcomes for both insurance companies and
`their customers.
`
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`Apple v. Geoscope
`IPR2024-00032, Page 2 of 8
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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works, Examples
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`Banking: Bluetooth beacons, the same type of geolocation technology that is
`placed throughout stores to offer users who have downloaded the store’s app
`to receive targeted discounts while giving the store data about the consumer’s
`shopping behavior, are providing new forms of convenience to bank customers.
`Geolocation is allowing bank customers to access branch ATMs with their
`mobile phones instead of with their ATM cards after business hours, offering
`convenience. Beacon technology also improves service inside smart bank
`branches by notifying bank employees when a customer has been waiting in a
`teller line too long so the customer can be directed to another bank employee
`at a desk who can help them.
`
`Geolocation and Privacy Issues
`With the upsides of geolocation come the downsides of safety and privacy
`issues. When using a device or app that allows for geolocation, it’s important for
`consumers to understand how that data is being used and with whom it’s being
`shared so they can protect their privacy and safety. And companies that
`use geolocation data must make sure that such information is protected so that
`employees cannot access the information inappropriately. Customers also
`don’t want geolocation data that they have shared for one purpose, such as
`banking convenience, to be reused for another purpose, such as advertising,
`without their knowledge and permission.
`
`Financial services companies that want to maintain their customers’ trust need
`to make them aware of exactly how their geolocation data is being used. For
`Top 10 Wealthiest Families in the World
`example, an app can inform a user of how their geolocation data will be used
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`Geoscope Exhibit 2033
`Apple v. Geoscope
`IPR2024-00032, Page 3 of 8
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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works, Examples
`when they open it for the first time after they install it, then allow them to opt
`LIVE
`out of sharing their location or using the app altogether if they aren’t happy
`with the company’s policy. Users should also be informed about whether an
`app will allow them to delete their geolocation history after the fact if they
`change their mind about what they’ve shared. Without this trust, further efforts
`to implement geolocation technology could stall.
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`Geoscope Exhibit 2033
`Apple v. Geoscope
`IPR2024-00032, Page 4 of 8
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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works, Examples
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`Geoscope Exhibit 2033
`Apple v. Geoscope
`IPR2024-00032, Page 5 of 8
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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works, Examples
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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works, Examples
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`Geolocation: What it is, How it Works, Examples
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