Why do so many apps use location permissions on a near-constant basis?

Question

I have an Android 5.1 device with App Permission Manager on, in order to stop apps from using permissions they don't need. Recently, I have noticed that many apps are trying to obtain my location when I don't need them to. For example, some apps attempt to get my location 3 times in a row on launching then, every 10 seconds while it is being used, or even every 7 seconds, even when the app has not been launched on my device - ever. Because I have blocked most apps from using my location, I now have a near-constant amount of toast notifications that read:

 (app name) has been denied to obtain your current location.

Why do they need my location so much? I would say it is for analytics reasons, but if that was the case, it should ask to get my location once per hour or once per day (not multiple times per minute).

Answer 1

Location details are not only used by analytics, but also by advertisements (think of localized ads). Unfortunately, many of those ad/analytics modules are "mal-behaving" and use those details for "profiling" as well.

For some closer details, I've collected information on my Android site:

• What’s it all about those modules apps contain? is an article with much background information
• Beware those snooping mods! gives some details on modules I found especially intrusive