Mobile Location Enforcement for Apps Creator

This article is for Zype Apps Creator customers whose apps run on iOS and Android. Content Rule Profiles now support GPS-based location enforcement on mobile devices, enabling DMA and polygon-based rules to be enforced in your mobile apps.

Why Mobile Location Enforcement is Needed

On web and CTV, Zype determines a viewer’s location using IP geolocation, which provides country, state, city, ZIP, and DMA data without any input from the viewer.

On mobile apps, IP geolocation may be less reliable (especially on cellular networks where IPs can reflect a carrier’s regional hub rather than the viewer’s actual location). For DMA-based and polygon-based rules, Zype Apps Creator now uses the device’s GPS (lat/long coordinates) when available to provide more accurate location matching.

How GPS Enforcement Works

When a viewer on iOS or Android attempts to play content that is subject to a DMA or polygon-based rule, the app requests location permission from the viewer.
If the viewer grants permission, the device’s GPS coordinates are retrieved and used to determine the viewer’s DMA via polygon matching.
The matched DMA is evaluated against the applicable Content Rule Profile. The viewer is allowed or denied based on the first matching rule.
If the viewer denies location permission, playback is blocked and a “Location Required” message is displayed.

ℹ️ Note: Location permission is only requested when the content being played is subject to a DMA or polygon-based rule. For content governed only by Country, State, City, ZIP, IP Address, or Region rules, the viewer’s GPS is not requested.

Viewer Experience

When location permission is granted

The viewer’s location is silently resolved in the background. If they are in an allowed DMA or region, playback proceeds normally. If they are in a denied area, they see the standard geo-restriction player message (customizable in Settings → Player Messaging).

When location permission is denied

Playback is blocked. The viewer sees a “Location Required” message explaining that the content cannot be accessed without location permission. Viewers can go to their device Settings to grant permission and then retry.

🚨 Important: You cannot bypass the location requirement for DMA-restricted content on mobile. This is by design to ensure licensing compliance. Super Watchers are exempt from content rules regardless of location permission status.

App Resubmission Requirement

GPS-based location enforcement requires a native app update to both your iOS and Android Apps Creator apps. Your Zype Account Management team will coordinate and manage the resubmission process, including:

Updating the app build to include location permission handling
Adding the required location permission descriptions to your iOS and Android app manifests
Testing enforcement behavior before submission
Submitting to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store on your behalf

ℹ️ Note: Your existing apps will continue to function normally without GPS enforcement until the updated app versions are live. DMA rules will use IP geolocation as a fallback in the interim.

Privacy Considerations

Zype collects only the minimum location data necessary to evaluate content rules:

Only derived DMA and coarse geographic fields (country, state, city) are stored — raw GPS coordinates are not retained after rule evaluation.
Location access is governed by standard iOS and Android permission frameworks. Viewers are in full control via their device Settings.
Your app’s privacy policy should reflect location data usage if it doesn’t already. Consult your legal team if needed.

Geographic Targeting Reference
How to Create and Manage Content Rule Profiles
Customizing the Geo Restriction Message Viewers See

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