Apple, Google Collect User Data

[Poke]

Apple's iPhones and Google's Androids Send Cellphone Location - WSJ.com

 

[rockymtnhigh]

But google let's you opt out, and they only keep the last 200 data points on the device. Apple has screwed the pooch with this one,

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

 

[dfergie]

Related link sent from Marken Communications ... .
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11_jRIKkJJxTkzO13HIGPGrt_-6BvTCdGm0u5x_Oo-pI/edit?hl=en&pli=1#

 

[truckracer]

im jailbroken running Privacy from cydia, does privacy eliminate this?

 

[navychop]

Cell companies have been tracking us since inception. So what if the cell phone does too, now?

 

[diogen]

It is a little bit like writing viruses/trojans: as long as it is sufficiently hard to do, it is mostly done by responsible people without too much risk to end user.
When it is brought down to the level of script kiddies - it's a nightmare. The moment you can monetize it - it is the same as war on drugs, i.e. never ends.

Apple's sin is not as much collecting the data (in one form or another all do that), but making it easy for any schmuck to access it.
Considering how easy iPhones can be hacked, this literally means only the lazy won't know your whereabouts over the last year if you use an iOS4 device...

Apple told the US Congress in 2010

To provide the high quality products and services that its customers demand, Apple must have access to the comprehensive location-based information.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/137...e-comprehensive-user-location-data-on-you.htm

They will start hiding it better and the issue will go away, just like antennagate...

Diogen.

 

[navychop]

Hmmm. That puts it in a harsher light. Is this data accessible remotely or would they need your phone in hand?

 

[diogen]

It isn't on a "running a script" level yet but getting close...
Pwn2Own day 2: iPhone, BlackBerry beaten; Chrome, Firefox no-shows

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

St. Jobs has spoken

...We don’t track anyone. The info circulating around is false.

Steve Jobs: Apple doesn’t track anyone

Note to self: Have to watch Matrix again: There is no spoon!



Diogen.

 

[diogen]

They will start hiding it better and the issue will go away, just like antennagate...

Maybe this won't go away as easy this time around...
Apple, Google summoned to Senate hearing on mobile device privacy
South Korea, Europe start iPhone location tracking investigations
South Korea? Isn't Samsung Group headquartered in South Korea?

Diogen.

 

[Juan]

im jailbroken running Privacy from cydia, does privacy eliminate this?

jail breaking allows everyone access to your phone

 

[diogen]

Apple - naturally - doesn't track anyone, but a patent is pending, just in case...
United States Patent Application: 0110051665

So, instead of "tracking everyone" they will sue the ones that do and will make the same money...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

And now it's official
Apple officially answers questions on location tracking, says it doesn't do it -- Engadget
Since St. Jobs voiced his point of view before, Apple's response was very predictable. And magical, of course...

"Apple is not tracking the location of your iPhone."
Data is collected for almost a year, it is known at least since September, police is using it, etc.
And nothing to do with the Cupertino fruit company except for some bugs that will be fixed?

Only an Apple user can believe this magic sh!t... And maybe the government if paid enough...

Diogen.

EDIT: Best summary
[Apple] admits underestimating stupidity of its users

Apple has clarified that it does not store location data on handsets, and that it does, and that it's going to stop soon... only it isn't... and it's nothing to worry about anyway.

 

[mike123abc]

It is not like every cell phone company does not know where you phone is and where it has been.

Apple claims that the data is used to help the GPS home in quicker: Apple Plans Fix for iPhone Location Data - WSJ.com

Apple said Wednesday it isn't tracking the location of iPhones, "has never done so and has no plans to ever do so."

"Users are confused, partly because the creators of this new technology (including Apple) have not provided enough education about these issues to date," the company said.

Apple said it maintains a database of Wi-Fi hot spots and cell towers around users' locations, a process that helps the phone calculate its location. The information is used to quickly find global-positioning-system satellites, a process that otherwise could take several minutes, the Cupertino, Calif., company said.

 

[Peter Parker]

im jailbroken running Privacy from cydia, does privacy eliminate this?

Both Privacy and Untrackerd claim to help. I se no way of validating the calim though.

 

[Juan]

most people don't realize this..but ALL 3G phones with E911 tracking collect this data and have been for years..u never really had in privacy with a cell phone

 

[DodgerKing]

South Park did an episode about this last night

 

[diogen]

The capability is there and should be there. The devil is in the details: implementation.

Is it an opt-in or opt-out feature? What's the default? Can you change it?
Is it stored locally? Encrypted? What encryption? How is it accessed?
Is the information sent to base? How often? Is this data archived or deleted?
Is it always on? Can it be activated remotely? Who can? How is the decision made?

If this network setup is as sh!tty as the PSN (or like Apple's) it is a disaster waiting to happen...

Diogen.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I don't have a problem with Apple collecting data on the phone to improve location services (which it does pretty well), but I have a problem with it:

1) not being encrypted
2) transferring to the PC/Mac upon sync
3) Not being purged.

I think the Google approach of the last 200 points, and only keeping it on the phone, makes much more sense.

I don't think this actually was a conspiracy, but just bad judgment on their part.

 

[Juan]

The capability is there and should be there. The devil is in the details: implementation.

Is it an opt-in or opt-out feature? What's the default? Can you change it?
Is it stored locally? Encrypted? What encryption? How is it accessed?
Is the information sent to base? How often? Is this data archived or deleted?
Is it always on? Can it be activated remotely? Who can? How is the decision made?

If this network setup is as sh!tty as the PSN (or like Apple's) it is a disaster waiting to happen...

Diogen.

if u "opt out" will many popular features cease to work? probably