Chinese State Media Labels iPhone a 'National Security Concern'

China's state-run media labeled the location-tracking features of the iPhone a 'national security concern' in a broadcast Friday, reports the Wall Street Journal.

China Central Television criticized Apple's 'frequent locations' feature that tracks and records the locations and times of frequently visited locations. The reporter quoted researchers who claim frequent location data can give knowledge to state secrets. China suggests that tech firms like Apple are giving the US Government data from devices such Frequent Locations.

While it is unclear if the CCTV report will be followed by new rules or limit on Apple, some companies have shifted policies or recalled products after influential CCTV broadcasts. Currently, the frequent locations feature in iOS 7 is opt-out, meaning you must turn it off in order to stop the feature.


Data gathered by frequent locations is kept on the device and will not be sent to Apple without your consent. Apple uses this data to provide you with helpful location-related information. Apple can even use this frequent location data to improve Maps, if you give it consent.

Turning off frequent locations is relatively simple. Simply navigate to Settings then Privacy then Location Services. Scroll down to System Services and you can find the frequent locations tab there.