Path Starts Anonymizing User Data Following Privacy Debacle

San Francisco-based startup Path announced on Monday that it is bolstering the privacy and security of its popular photo-sharing app. The added security comes nearly two months after the company found itself in hot water with privacy advocates following the discovery that Path was uploading users' address books without permission.

"We take privacy and security seriously, and we believe your data deserves to be well-protected," the company wrote in a blog post. Path version 2.1.1, which is available in the iTunes App Store now, improves security and privacy by hashing user contact data sent to Path's servers.

Hashing anonymizes data by turning it into a string of unintelligible letters and numbers. With the update, Path anonymizes users' names, phone numbers, email addresses, Twitter handles, and Facebook IDs, the company said.

"We hope our actions set a new standard in this field as we strive to serve you, our users, first," Path said.

The controversy started in early February after blogger Arun Thampi discovered that the Path iPhone app was uploading users' entire address books, including full names, emails and phone numbers, without permission. Dave Morin, the chief executive of Path, and released a version of the Path iPhone app that allowed users to opt in or out of sharing contact information.

The problem was not limited just to Path, however, prompting companies like Instagram and Twitter to update or clarify their policies.

In the wake of the debacle, two members of Congress asking the company for more information about iOS apps that access users' contact lists. The privacy blunder also that calls on Path, Facebook, Twitter, and Apple, among other app makers, to "halt and prevent these unconscionable, illegal practices."

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