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Last week, movie subscription service MoviePass received negative press when CEO Mitch Lowe mentioned that the company watches "how you drive from home to the movies" and notices "where you go afterwards" using location tracking in the background on iOS. This week, through customer support emails and in an interview with Variety, MoviePass and Lowe are apologizing over this "mischaracterization" of how the service locates its members and are trying to clear things up once and for all.

In a letter that began hitting subscriber inboxes yesterday, Lowe admitted the need to "eliminate any misconceptions" that MoviePass is collecting location related data when it shouldn't be. He explained that the MoviePass app uses "standard" location services capabilities on an opt-in basis, and specified that there are only two events that would prompt MoviePass to identify your location: when you perform a search for nearby theaters and when you check into a theater.

moviepass-app-map.jpg

Otherwise, Lowe stated that Moviepass does not follow you before or after you watch a movie, or at any time that the app is not open.
MoviePass does not track and has never tracked or collected data on the location of our members at any point when the app is not active.
Last week, following Lowe's comments, the company removed the background tracking capabilities from the iOS app. In the letter, the CEO said that MoviePass "does not use and has never used this feature."

Lowe echoed these sentiments in an interview with Variety, explaining that prior to the update, MoviePass used Apple's three standard privacy tracking options: "Never," "While Using the App," and "Always" -- the option that was removed. In regards to the "Always" tracking capability, Lowe said that because the company never used it, "it was confusing to have it there." Lowe mentioned that MoviePass lost just "half a dozen" customers over the newly raised privacy concerns.
In an interview with Variety on Monday, Lowe said he was mistaken about what data the MoviePass app actually collected. "I said something completely inaccurate as far as what we are doing," he said. "We only locate customers when they use the app."

He added, "If you get in your car and drive five miles, we don't know where you are or where you are going."
While MoviePass has confirmed it isn't tracking subscribers in the background and when the app is closed, the service is still built around collecting and sharing user data with exhibitors and studios. MoviePass ensures that this data has been "completely anonymized," so that "there's never any personal information" shared with its partners. MoviePass monetizes this data sharing process and is the main way the service intends to stay afloat and make money going forward.

Lowe also mentioned the company's vision for its future, where MoviePass wants to be the center of "this whole night at the movies" idea, giving users recommendations for events after watching a movie. Of course, following the privacy concerns of the last few weeks, Lowe reiterated that, "When we do that, if we do that, we'll send a request to each customer to let them opt in or opt out."

Article Link: MoviePass CEO Admits He Was 'Completely Inaccurate', iOS App 'Has Never Tracked' Users in Background
 
Suuuuuuuuure. Sorry but you're not getting that trust back.

He was confident in his original statement and then made subsequent statements that they'd love to gather even more data. When those blew up in his face, now suddenly he says his statements weren't correct? No one will believe that.
 
The article says this "Last week, following Lowe's comments, the company removed the background tracking capabilities from the iOS app. In the letter, the CEO said that MoviePass "does not use and has never used this feature."

So, if they removed said tracking last week, how can the CEO claim that he was "completely inaccurate"?? Looks like the CEO is contradicting himself or his PR team...
 
Wow. Every time one of these apps gets called out for shady/sneaky tracking, (UBER et al) the company then backpedals and huffs & puffs & starts apologizing for misunderstandings. Misunderstandings my ass. The location tracking feature of the iPhone is just too tempting for the nefarious.
 
Unless the location services for the app are set to “Always” how else would it be able to track you after you exited the app?

Still a stupid comment by the CEO who is obviously misinformed.
 

Watch this interview. It’s an interesting explanation of their business model, and Mitch explains what they are actually doing with data. It’s not nefarious.

MP is the best investment I’ve made for entertainment in years, and I have no problem with how they track data. If you’re concerned, just turn location services to only share your location while using the app. Easy. And you get to watch a TON of movies. :)
 

Watch this interview. It’s an interesting explanation of their business model, and Mitch explains what they are actually doing with data. It’s not nefarious.

MP is the best investment I’ve made for entertainment in years, and I have no problem with how they track data. If you’re concerned, just turn location services to only share your location while using the app. Easy. And you get to watch a TON of movies. :)
I love SJU! Yeah, this is a super interesting interview and totally worth watching if you're on the fence about MoviePass. He doesn't ever appear apprehensive to respond to any of the questions they ask.

Now I just need to go watch a movie because I haven't even used my card yet in march :confused:
 
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I love SJU! Yeah, this is a super interesting interview and totally worth watching if you're on the fence about MoviePass. He doesn't ever appear apprehensive to respond to any of the questions they ask.

Now I just need to go watch a movie because I haven't even used my card yet in march :confused:

I know; I’m about as averse to corporate speak as anyone, and I actually liked this guy. Seems authentic, and I love that he doesn’t dodge questions or put a spin on them.

Get on it! Use that MoviePass! ;)
 
I know; I’m about as averse to corporate speak as anyone, and I actually liked this guy. Seems authentic, and I love that he doesn’t dodge questions or put a spin on them.

Get on it! Use that MoviePass! ;)
I'll definitely be going a few times this weekend, but idk even with MP I was hesitant on A Wrinkle in Time and The Strangers.
 
Compares customer’s data to oil. Laughs about getting rich. Customers react. What the hell did I just do?!?!
 
So they track you if you give them permission in settings, right? Just like any other app? Am I missing something?

I’ve never used mp before, but I am intrigued.
 
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I'll definitely be going a few times this weekend, but idk even with MP I was hesitant on A Wrinkle in Time and The Strangers.
Ya know, that’s the beauty of MP, tho. I’ve seen several movies that were meh, but I don’t feel like I wasted money. I’ve actually stopped looking at Rotten Tomatoes, too. Going in with no expectations has completely changed my theater-going experience.
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So they track you if you give them permission in settings, right? Just like any other app? Am I missing something?

I’ve never used mp before, but I am intrigued.
Yes, only if you give them permission in settings.

And as for being intrigued... it’s amazing. I’ve told all my friends about MP, and the ones who have gotten it love it. Totally worth it if you go see a few movies a year (but would go more if it wasn’t so darn expensive). I’ve seen more than 20 movies in the last two months. FOR $20.
 
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