Upstream Uncovers Android Smartphones in Developing Markets Sold with Pre-Installed Malware

Upstream, a leader of the mobile internet revolution in high growth markets, has today revealed that new low-end Android smartphone devices being sold to consumers in developing markets, many of whom are coming online for the first time, contain pre-installed malware. This malware, designed to commit digital ad fraud, collects users’ personal information, depletes their mobile data allowance and triggers fraudulent charges to their pre-paid credit, without their knowledge or consent.

Guy Krief, CEO of Upstream, explains the findings: “Digital ad fraud is a global phenomenon, responsible for a loss of more than 30 percent of global digital investment. It is mostly about fake impressions and clicks, generated by machines. Our Secure-D platform has uncovered that a number of low-end Android smartphones for sale in developing markets, such as Brazil, Egypt, Myanmar and South Africa, are sold with a digital ad fraud malware pre-installed, before the user has even turned the phone on for the first time.”

Read more…

CleverTap Makes An Entry Into Psychographic Segmentation Using Machine Learning

The leading mobile marketing platform, CleverTap, announced its entry into the field of psychographic segmentation that sets a new standard for segmenting mobile app users. Psychographic segmentation is an industry-first machine learning capability that sits at the cornerstone of what CleverTap does – help growth marketers deliver on the promise of relationship marketing.

Despite the fact that we live in an age of abundant data, mobile users today expect to receive the right information with the right context. Existing mobile marketing tools help divide the audience by demographics, technographics, location, and app behavior. However, user actions are not always telling of what they are truly interested in. Their behaviors and interests change frequently, based on seasons, sporting events and current affairs. Actions can be one-off behaviors or occasional purchases.

Read more…

Mobile tech tackles climate change

Mobile tech has a pivotal role to play in combating climate change in Latin America, according to a new report.

GSMA and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) commissioned the report, which says mobile is contributing significantly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It points to the impact of technologies like big data and the Internet of Things (IoT) in tackling climate change, with applications that allow industries to become more resource efficient.

One example cited is in São Paulo, where a big data initiative from Telefonica is tracking human mobility to monitor effects on air quality and health, with mobility data forecasting potential pollution issues 48 hours in advance, giving city planners the chance to implement preventative measures.

Read more…

CEE 2018 GCCM Interview – Mobile Squared

Live from CEE 2018 GCCM. In this interview host Jez Back, is joined by Nick Lane, Chief Insight Analyst, Mobile Squared.

Nick discusses mobile engagement and where he thinks the market is going.

Carrier Community (CC) is a global telecom club established in 2008 and organizing annual global carrier community meetings in Berlin since 2014 for the members. The Carrier Members get together from  Data Connectivity, SMS, Mobile, VAS, Application, Voice, OTT,  ISP, IXs, Data Centers and other related segments.

Read more…

Imimobile Acquires Impact Mobile To Expand North American Presence

Cloud communications specialist IMImobile has agreed to acquire Impact Mobile, one of Canada’s leading providers of end-to-end mobile engagement solutions, from Dealnet Capital Corporation. The acquisition is aimed at extending IMImobile’s reach into the US while also complementing IMImobile’s product set and customer base.

Impact Mobile provides a full range of software solutions and services to mobile operators, retailers, SMS aggregators, government agencies and major household brands across Canada and the US, with its JumpTXT platform helping clients meet regulatory compliance requirements, providing mobile engagement capabilities and supplying carrier grade messaging infrastructure.

The acquisition deal consists of C$25m (£14.4m) payable on completion as well as a deferred cash consideration of C$2.5m payable six months later. Impact Mobile, which is headquartered in Toronto with offices in New York, reported turnover of C$10.6m last year.

Read more…