The Starbucks app has been accused of tracking users through precise location data and using it for targeted marketing, raising concerns of “surveillance-style” promotion.

Recently, a blogger accused the Starbucks App of misusing precise location data for marketing purposes. According to the blogger, the app pushed “you’re passing by this store” promotions based on real-time location information — even though the user had never granted such permission.

He described the push notifications as “following him everywhere,” triggering promotions for whichever Starbucks store he walked past.

The blogger also pointed out that Starbucks’ privacy policy only lists three uses for precise location data:

1. Finding nearby stores
2. Ordering, shopping, and service reservations
3. Participating in specific events
   It does not mention using precise location for marketing or promotional messages.

He demanded that Starbucks immediately stop sending location-based promotions or publicly explain the legal basis and user consent mechanism behind the feature. If Starbucks cannot justify the practice, he expects a formal apology and a rectification plan.

According to the Starbucks App privacy policy, users can disable precise location permissions in their phone settings, but certain features will no longer function:

• Android users: disabling all location permissions prevents using the “nearby stores” feature
• iOS users: disabling automatic location prevents viewing region-specific promotions

Starbucks has previously been warned by regulators for improper handling of user data, including:

• June 2023: summoned for repeatedly inducing users to provide personal information
• April 2025: required to adjust privacy practices by Shanghai cybersecurity and market authorities
• June 2025: publicly criticized for improper collection and use of personal data

This new controversy once again brings Starbucks’ data privacy compliance into public scrutiny.