Apple Officially Addresses Location Data Controversy

[Globe199]

Seriously, does anyone believe anything that comes out of Apple PR anymore?

I never did. I refuse to believe that any of this was accidental. I'm a self-admitted Apple hater. But I will also admit that they have possibly the brightest, most talented engineers AND marketing people in the consumer electronics world. You don't stumble onto these obscene profits and stock prices.

Therefore, there is NO WAY that this was an accident. Apple knew exactly what the hell they were doing. Among other things, they need to stop hiding behind these ridiculous 80-page EULAs, the content of which I'm sure no one, not even their ultralawyers, understands.

Perhaps we need the government to step in with some consumer protection. There should be a warning on the outside of the product box to the effect of: "This device tracks your location and sends that data to Apple." One sentence, big bright red letters. No hiding.

Finally, Apple are not sorry they did this. They're sorry they were caught.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Apple is planning on releasing a free iOS update in the next few weeks that performs the following:

- reduces the size of the crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower database cached on the iPhone,
- ceases backing up this cache, and
- deletes this cache entirely when Location Services is turned off.
[\QUOTE]

I'm not really sure whether this update will be good or bad:
- By reducing cached data, it may take longer for the aGPS to give a precise location. The file doesn't grow out of proportion.
- Not backing up the file would make it harder to get, but not impossible. It may be a good thing after all.
- Deleting the cache would mean that location services will take a really long time the next time is needed, and/or will require an Internet connection to retrieve tower and HotSpot information from Apple's Location Database.

This has definitely blown out of proportion, turned into a panic situation for no real reason. As SJ mentioned, ignorance was a key factor in this media driven controversy.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I'm not really sure whether this update will be good or bad:
- By reducing cached data, it may take longer for the aGPS to give a precise location. The file doesn't grow out of proportion.
- Not backing up the file would make it harder to get, but not impossible. It may be a good thing after all.
- Deleting the cache would mean that location services will take a really long time the next time is needed, and/or will require an Internet connection to retrieve tower and HotSpot information from Apple's Location Database.

This has definitely blown out of proportion, turned into a panic situation for no real reason. As SJ mentioned, ignorance was a key factor in this media driven controversy.

The catch was way to large to begin with. It just had a lot of noise in it because after a certain point it is just useless information. It really only needs the data were you are on a normal bases and lets face it that is a relatively small area and that data does not change that often.
Why should a random trip I take 200 miles away be stored for very long as I might go there once a year. Not a big issue if GPS takes a little longer there and it can still use the tower locations to help get a lock.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

Go ahead though and explain how a database of cell towers and wifi hotspots is going to be translated into being used for marketing. I own a marketing firm, and I would love for you to enlighten me of what value that information is.

Here's one way Apple could do it:

Ronald Huang, an Apple senior engineering manager, filed patent application 12/553,554 last month, "Location histories for location aware devices," which explains how Apple can amass and use location data in the very ways Apple critics fear. The patent application, for example, envisions a searchable map plotting the owner's location history; tying location to financial transactions; transmitting location data over the internet to remote servers; and many other uses.

The patent also spells out how the location database could be "correlated or related" to other personal information, including "but not limited to: Data associated with a picture taking event, data associated with a financial transaction, sensor output data, data associated with a communication event (e.g. receipt of a phone call or instant message), data associated with a network event.... etc." (sections 0020 and 0021, on page 9 in the PDF)

Apple has said before that such data is only shared with express user consent, although it clearly caught customers by surprise with the compilation of the iPhone location database.

Here's the patent application:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/53886728/Apple

There are some smart people at Apple. That info combined with everything else you do on your phone is advertising gold.

You need to think more like a criminal, someone that want to create mischeif, or someone that wants to cause you harm. Using that viewpoint, you may be able to more easily come up with an instance of where the data could be used in a harmful way.

Nothing so sinister. Think a bit creepier, a bit dirtier. More like a marketer! (no offense meant to marksman, just a bit of fun)

 

[revenent]

I really wonder what the big deal and this whole lawsuit is all about. I think the tracking is actually a good idea. Should you get lost or get kidnapped at least someone or something will be able to track your last location where you were at. In any case i do not feel its a privacy issue since i have nothing to hide and would not mind even if Apple knew where i went for dinner yesterday evening.

 

[blahblah100]

Hey Birther, guess what else happened today?!

What happened today!?!?

Your mom yelled at you for not cleaning your room? You got fired from McDonalds for not wearing a hair net? Don't keep me guessing, I'm on the edge of my seat in anticipation...

 

[BVGuitarPlayer]

Real ******* great, Apple.

 

[smithrh]

Real ******* great, Apple.

Turn it off then.

Go to the Security preferences pane, and check the "Disable Location Services" box.

 

[caspersoong]

Apple is good at making something bad look good. As long as they don't lie.

 

[iKingsley86]

A lot of people are upset over this. But, no one seems to care that the US Government can snoop on any electronic communication it wants for well over 10 years now: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echelon_(signals_intelligence)

Data transmissions, cell phone calls, you name it. I think we're trying to cook the wrong goose if you ask me.

Great point!

 

[artfull]

Can someone explain what they ( apple ) mean with


10. Does Apple believe that personal information security and privacy are important?
Yes, we strongly do. For example, iPhone was the first to ask users to give their permission for each and every app that wanted to use location. Apple will continue to be one of the leaders in strengthening personal information security and privacy.


What about bb for instance? Hasnt it always been like that with blackberry and possibly every other OS?

 

[kdarling]

iPhone was the first to ask users to give their permission for each and every app that wanted to use location. - Apple

What about bb for instance? Hasnt it always been like that with blackberry and possibly every other OS?

Yes, Blackberry and J2ME apps have always asked such permission, going back at least a decade.

In fact, most mobile OSes ask permission for everything from accessing local files to using the internet, something iOS does not do.

 

[JAT]

Yes, Blackberry and J2ME apps have always asked such permission, going back at least a decade.

In fact, most mobile OSes ask permission for everything from accessing local files to using the internet, something iOS does not do.

iOS asks permission on many things, or forces apps to ask, which I would imagine is what you meant. Which is missing? It has skipped a standardized network file permission because that is controlled so fully. But you do have to opt into/permit such access with any app that can do it. I only have one app that truly has such access, and it has a few levels of permissions that must be set by the user, and can be changed at any time.

 

[herzberg01]

interesting twist pro iOS Location Tracking

The iOS Location Tracking Issue, or Locationgate, as some might call it, should not only be seen from a negativ data privacy angle. The service that iPhoneTracker provides via the information in the iOS backups is great! it creates interesting visualisition possibilities that should be refined and enhanced with more styles and types of visualisation. furthermore it is a passive tracker, that can help remember e.g. the last night, the hiking trips you did on a holiday and can be a positive alibi, contrary to the view that is displayed in the media. We want everyone to participate so we can keep this great feature of long time storing and choose ourselves, if we like to use it or not!

http://www.please-let-us-keep-consolidated-db-steve.com/

 

[PeterQVenkman]

The iOS Location Tracking Issue, or Locationgate, as some might call it, should not only be seen from a negativ data privacy angle. The service that iPhoneTracker provides via the information in the iOS backups is great! it creates interesting visualisition possibilities that should be refined and enhanced with more styles and types of visualisation. furthermore it is a passive tracker, that can help remember e.g. the last night, the hiking trips you did on a holiday and can be a positive alibi, contrary to the view that is displayed in the media. We want everyone to participate so we can keep this great feature of long time storing and choose ourselves, if we like to use it or not!

http://www.please-let-us-keep-consolidated-db-steve.com/

Isn't Apple giving the option to keep it?

 

[herzberg01]

I really wonder what the big deal and this whole lawsuit is all about. I think the tracking is actually a good idea. Should you get lost or get kidnapped at least someone or something will be able to track your last location where you were at. In any case i do not feel its a privacy issue since i have nothing to hide and would not mind even if Apple knew where i went for dinner yesterday evening.

then support our petition

 

[trashsteve]

Real ******* great, Apple.

Image

How to view the "locationd"? Is it autorun service by default?

 

[herzberg01]

Poo. I'd rather have the option to keep backing up that cache file to iTunes. I like the ability to see a map of where I've been using the iPhoneTracker app.

Isn't Apple giving the option to keep it?

They will remove the "bug" that the location data is stored forever within one of the next updates. It will be cut down to a certain timeframe, e.g. the last 7 days. Rest will be deleted. We want to change that!