SoftBank Data Handling Policy

For the Security of Our Customers

At SoftBank, we respect the privacy of our customers.

When we use personal information, we do so on the basis of explaining the purpose of use and asking for our customers’ consent. In order to strike the right balance between privacy protection and data utilization, we take measures such as anonymization and statistical processing of the data we use.

1. Anonymization

In order to use personal information securely, SoftBank engages in anonymous processing.

[1] What is anonymous processing?

Anonymous processing is a way of preventing our customers from being identified when we use personal information we have received from them. For example, when we engage in business analysis, plan new services, or outsource marketing research to an external partner company, we may reference customer behavior and attributes, but by applying this processing, we can perform analysis and optimize guidance while fully protecting privacy.

Anonymized information is often used in:

Marketing research and analysis
Business analysis
Planning and developing new products and services
Presenting campaigns and advertising, distributing surveys, and providing other information that we deem to be beneficial

[2] Provision to a third party

Anonymized information cannot be used to identify our customers as individuals.
At SoftBank, we leverage that fact to provide data to third parties in a secure state to assist in resolving and improving social issues.

Anonymized information is provided in:

Cooperation with public projects such as disaster countermeasures and regional promotion
Support and collaboration on planning and developing business partners’ products and services
Delivery, display and optimization of business partners’ advertising and surveys
Planning and implementation of other measures that we deem to be beneficial

[3] Types of data to be anonymously processed

SoftBank uses the following data after anonymous processing.

Pseudonymous identifiers
Activity dates and times
Gender
Age
Municipality of residence
Contract information
Activity information
Location information
Advertisement delivery information

[4] Additional usage suspension methods and security management measures

We have established rigorous systems and rules to keep information secure. Please see our security policy for details.
Anonymized information may be used to operate recommended advertisements and statistical services.
Anonymous processing for these services can be discontinued by requesting to stop the use of recommended advertisements and statistical services.

2. Processing into Statistical Information

In order to use personal information securely, SoftBank engages in processing into statistical information.

[1] What is processing into statistical information?

Processing into statistical information is a way of preventing our customers from being identified from the personal information we have received from them. For example, common data items may be extracted and aggregated when predicting the impact of a disaster or simulating customer activity, but applying this processing makes it possible to quantitatively grasp trends and characteristics of a group while fully protecting privacy.

Statistical information is often used in:

Business analysis
Analysis related to service quality improvement and new developments
Cooperation with public projects such as disaster countermeasures and regional promotion
Analysis of people’s movements and stays
Verification of the impact of weather on the flow of people
Survey of trading area population
Implementation of other business that we deem to be beneficial

[2] Services that use statistical information

SoftBank provides services that make use of statistical information.
Processing into statistical information for these services can be discontinued by requesting to do so.

3. Handling of Location Information

SoftBank makes use of location information in order to provide services.
When using location information, we perform anonymous and statistical processing to give due consideration to the privacy of our customers. If SoftBank uses location information in a way that can identify the individual customer, such as searching for a customer’s lost smartphone, we will first obtain consent from the customer.

Types of location information

Location information is information that indicates the location of devices owned by customers or the location of the customers themselves. SoftBank uses three types of location information: base stations, Wi-Fi access points and GPS.

Situations in which location information is often used

We use base stations and Wi-Fi access points to locate customer devices in order to establish communication.
We may also use location information in the following situations.

To provide our services, improve their convenience and quality, and prevent unauthorized use
To provide support for customers using location information
To conduct marketing research and analysis
To provide information and to display and deliver advertisements suitable for customers

When providing this information to a third party, it is processed so that it cannot identify individual customers, or is provided after obtaining consent from customers.