Senator Al Franken Questions Steve Jobs Over iPhone Tracking
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Posted April 20, 2011 at 11:53pm by iClarified
Senator Al Franken has penned an open letter to Steve Jobs asking for answers regarding a recent report that Apple is secretly compiling location data on every iOS device.
Dear Mr. Jobs,
I read with concern a recent report by security researchers that Apple's iOS 4 operating system is secretly compiling its customers' location data in a file stored on iPhones, 3G iPads, and every computer that users used to "sync" their devices. According to the researchers, this file contains consumers' latitude and longitude for every day they used an iPhone or 3G iPad running the iOS 4 operating system - sometimes logging their precise geo-location up to 100 times a day.
The letter continues for two pages and ends with 9 questions: 1. Why does Apple collect and compile this location data? Why did Apple choose to initiate tracking this data in its iOS 4 operating system? 2. Does Apple collect and compile this location data for laptops? 3. How is this data generated? (GPS, cell tower triangulation, Wi-Fi triangulation, etc.) 4. How frequently is a user's location recorded? What triggers the creation of a record of someone's location? 5. How precise is this location data? Can it track the users location to 50 m, 100 m, etc.? 6. Why is this data not encrypted? What steps will Apple take to encrypt the data? 7. Why were Apple consumers never affirmatively informed of the collection and retention of their location data in this manner? Why did Apple not seek affirmative consent before doing so? 8. Does Apple believe that this conduct is permissible under the terms of its privacy policy? 9. To whom, if anyone, including Apple, has this data been disclosed? When and why were these disclosures made?
Sen. Franken, Apple did what it did because IT CAN. Steve Jobs, the one who used to fight "THE MAN" has become "THE MAN". The whole iPad 2 circus could be clasified as one of the most ridiculous marketing stunts in the history of man kind.
Stop whining! If you read the TERMS AND CONDITIONS you would know this is part of the service,it's not personally identifiable.....
Just think some of your angry bird and pandora apps are seriously spying on you!! And the info is much more personable (UDID etc..)!
another case of apple invading privacy here which was not reported on this site...
iPhone Takes Photos While Using FaceTime?
We found a interesting complain on the Apple Support forum about FaceTime FaceTime shows random, old pictures when initiating a call. A girl said, she is seeing old pictures when she calls her boyfriend using FaceTime. On the same moment she is seeing these old pictures, her boyfriend is seeing a black screen. Its kind of creepy, because it brought up photos of both of us at work, where I have used FaceTime a few times but he never has. Does FaceTime secretly takes photos?
"My boyfriend and I have both recently experienced this problem several times when one of us is calling the other via FaceTime, an old picture freezes on our screen, while the person receiving the call only sees a black screen. Its kind of creepy, because it brought up photos of both of us at work, where I have used FaceTime a few times but he never has. Were just wondering how/why this is happening, and if there is a fix. Its not terribly inconvenient, but its definitely unsettling, where is seems that even if we havent taken a picture or used FaceTime, the camera is keeping images. If anyone else is experiencing this, wed love feedback. Thanks!"
It works from instant gps, it has nothing to do with this current issue at hand. Find my iPhone has been around since my 3G, quit trying to sound smart. Ever heard of MobileMe? Thought so
Those are some legitimate concerns. Apple needs to stop being sneaky and collecting this information without user's consent. Next thing you know, they'll start recording what you say by turning on the voice recorder without your knowledge.
This is simply not acceptable and probably violates some privacy laws.
Pull it together, Apple!
Any one what to buy a 1 month old phone that's in very good condition. It has no physical scratches or marks very well looked after. Model iphone 4, software ios 4.3 with spying enabled.