Federal Lawmakers Questioning Steve Jobs Regarding Location Data Collection

[namdnalsiroj]

Just because your mailman has access to your letters doesn't mean he should read them (and sell your private info to his licensees and partners).

Using location-based services should not automatically mean that your info will be collected (and sold).
Gathering of private data is not an inherent feature of this technology.
It's a hidden requirement, effectively limiting the use of the actual product/service.

Given the limited ability of Apple users to opt out of the revised policy and still be able to take advantage of the features of their Apple products

The congressmen might also look at companies like tomtom.

 

[ericinboston]

There isn't? So, you can't copy the text into a file, and then run diff on it with a new one when it comes out?

1)Did you even read my simple post?...and you do realize this thread is in regards to people using their iPhone right?

2)Copying this agreement stuff into a text file and then your 10,000 foot view of "running a diff" is absurd. 99.9999% of iPhone users aren't going to have a)a clue what you are talking about and b)have no idea even how to do it.

Run a diff. That's the joke of the year.

Please re-read my post.

The "what's new/what's changed in the agreement" work should not be the responsibility of the consumer to figure out. Read and comprehend...yes. But to "figure out" what has changed between 2 40-page documents?...no way.


-Eric

 

[namdnalsiroj]

Has anyone else tried the opt out url link? I have tried it 3 times over the past few days and it doesn't work, it give you an error saying opting out was not successful! So what are we supposed to do then?

Try it people let me know.

http://oo.apple.com/

Works for me, that is, it confirms that I'm opted out.
I suspect it's not a "hard" opt-out though, and you will have to opt-out every time you clear your cookies, do a reinstall, etcetera.
Also, it's only opting you out of location-data collection for iAds.

 

[ardent73]

Left hand meet Right Hand meet left hand meet right hand

...meanwhile other elected morons are trying to prevent the sale of prepaid cellphones because not enough data is collected on the buyer...because criminals might buy one. Oh the horror!!!!

Maybe they should pass a law that says all criminals are not allowed to be criminals...

If you didn't get that, then you are qualified to be an elected moron...

 

[rhett7660]

Good, go after Apple as hard as it's fanboys want them to go after Google. Fair is fair.

Why, at least Apple is telling you what they are doing. Unlike Google. Please. Sorry this is different on so many levels. Google was down right taking and logging information without you nor I knowing about. Big difference.

 

[themanx]

Issue isn't opting out, Rather you have to agree first...

Don't know if anyone posted yet but even though the policy has the opt out feature, you can't download apps, music or videos until you agree to their terms even if the user doesn't download apps?

Also, the wording of the paragraph after the opting out makes it look like even though you opt out, we can still gather data ....

So why the change all of a sudden?

 

[Bafflefish]

Uh huh.

"Mission accomplished!" - Google PR Department

Remember when I mentioned how you fervently hate Google? Your last few posts alone serve as proof. ;D

 

[hobo.hopkins]

And many more people want you to know that apple is not the nice guy company that fanboys think they are.

I realize that you are probably not going to read this, but here goes:

I'm not an Apple fanboy. I just understand that these practices have been done for years by countless companies around the world. I don't mind Google collecting data, or Apple. You see, I trust these companies a whole hell of a lot more than I do lawmakers probing into this situation.

Also, I (like you) do not yet know the full effects of these new terms and conditions. While people like you freak out and believe that Apple will sell your location to pedophiles, I believe that they won't.

 

[sdunlapa]

Well, then let's use Stalin, Mao, Idi Amin or George W. Bush instead. Different faces and names, but basically all the same.

It's impossible to have Freedom without Privacy.

Uh oh we got a PEBKAC...

Nope doesn't work either. Your side always compared W to Hitler. So you're really just subin W for Hitler.

Try again please

 

[sdunlapa]

Good, go after Apple as hard as it's fanboys want them to go after Google. Fair is fair.

Uh no…

Google is more like, "Sorry I tripped and my search got stuck in your WI Fi Network."

Or something like that.

 

[hobo.hopkins]

Don't know if anyone posted yet but even though the policy has the opt out feature, you can't download apps, music or videos until you agree to their terms even if the user doesn't download apps

I'm just curious - do you see anything wrong with that? Before a user is able to use Apple services, they must agree to the terms and conditions of that particular service. This works for iTunes, the app store, etc. For the majority of people who don't obsess about big brother-esque concerns, this isn't an issue.

 

[ranguvar]

What? At D8, Jobs said that Apple takes users' privacy extremely serious "unlike other companies in the Valley". Now this.

 

[CalebF]

Do they really think Apple is going to use this info for some kind of wrong doing, come guys I don't think Steve Jobs is into being a criminal. All the info will be used for is making great Hardware & Software better and of course the next big thing that we will love to play with. Seems like the feds are always looking into Apple's business, when you are on top they always want to bring you down.
Go ahead and take my info as I'm sure it will just make my Apple stuff perform better as usual!!!
GO STEVE!!!

Wow, hypocrisy in Appleland? What a surprise!

If this were Microsoft or Google and I were to say "do you think [Blank] is going to use this info for some wrong-doing?", you'd say, what exactly????

Mmm-hmm. 'Nuff said. Hypocrite, thy name is fanboy.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...Pad_vulnerable_after_monster_iPhone_patch_job
Apple leaves iPad vulnerable after monster iPhone patch job
Monday's iOS 4 patches record 65 bugs; iPad won't get fixes until the fall

Okay, you have SUCH "faith" in Apple, I dare you (chomping at the bit dare you) to enter to open a banking account on your iPad, entering your sensitive banking info including Social Security #.

Why don't you put your money where your mouth is?

 

[CalebF]

Ah, yes, Big Brother investigating and MR members weighing in.

WHOSE side they're on depends on WHO'S being investigated.

 

[MacFly123]

Works for me, that is, it confirms that I'm opted out.
I suspect it's not a "hard" opt-out though, and you will have to opt-out every time you clear your cookies, do a reinstall, etcetera.
Also, it's only opting you out of location-data collection for iAds.

Ya! I finally got it to work. They should have a preference in iOS to turn off data and location collection for iAds and anything else non app related that I would know about from being prompted, PERIOD!

Better yet, make it opt in. Since Apple loves pop ups so much, make a pop up the first time someone clicks an iAd or other ad that says... Would you like to share anonymous data and location with this service to customize your experience? Yes? No?

No thanks!

 

[Master Chief]

Ah, yes, Big Brother investigating and MR members weighing in.

WHOSE side they're on depends on WHO'S being investigated.

Then let me make it perfectly clear, for all MR visitors, that I lobbied for this.

 

[Veri]

Open it in Quicktime and look at the inspector. You will notice a little arrow. Click on that arrow and you will see the front door of the person that posted the video.

While it's questionable ethics to embed location information in a video/picture without making the user aware clearly and in advance of what's being done, the 'phone does not afaik upload videos to public web sites automatically. Now you may point out that other apps can extract such data from files on your device and upload it somewhere, but the vulnerability that any app could just upload all interesting files on your phone to a third party site is a different problem.

You can thank Google Maps for that btw.

I'm not sure, "At least Apple's not Google," is a defence. It's true, but it's not a defence.

Apple is asking for it forever for that one application

No, the question doesn't ask, "Should the app always be able to find out exactly where you are, and communicate that information as it pleases?" That may be what it means, but it's not what it's asking.

 

[bigjara]

i guess i would only be worried by how specific the location data is.

 

[res1233]

All Your Dataz Are Belong To Us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[res1233]

i guess i would only be worried by how specific the location data is.

That's actually a very good point. Steve Jobs once mentioned how privacy was very important to Apple. He didn't want to be responsible for kids getting stalked because of some pedo's app or something to that nature. But if all the person is able to get is the city, or even state that the kid lives in, it's suddenly not so useful. I'd say that it's a definite possibility. As for what the info is to be used for? iAds. The nice thing about it, is all iAds would need to know is the city the person is currently in. That should be sufficient to provide ads that apply to that person based on region.

 

[Swift]

And what will happen?

Joe Barton will apologize for this rough bit of Chicago gangsterism by Congress and ask for a free iPad.

Ed Markey will nod, sagely, and be enveloped by the Reality Distortion Field.

And that will be that.

Really, you want to ask Siri where the nearest pizza place is. Finding out where you are is the first thing. Then it goes out to databases and maps and finds the answers and sends them back to you. The questions you ask remain in a cache, and they can discover oops, this restaurant is out of business. We forgot this place.

I'm not unhappy that they look, but a little less drama would be good. Go after the Nigerian scams, and the Viagra junk e-mails -- real problems. I'd include this phony inquiry into Google's data collection for StreetView. All the data that they kept that they shouldn't was encrypted, and it was junk anyway. They just didn't cut off the data stream quickly enough, but what they did keep was of no use to anybody.

 

[hayesk]

1)Did you even read my simple post?...and you do realize this thread is in regards to people using their iPhone right?

2)Copying this agreement stuff into a text file and then your 10,000 foot view of "running a diff" is absurd. 99.9999% of iPhone users aren't going to have a)a clue what you are talking about and b)have no idea even how to do it.

Run a diff. That's the joke of the year.

Please re-read my post.

The "what's new/what's changed in the agreement" work should not be the responsibility of the consumer to figure out. Read and comprehend...yes. But to "figure out" what has changed between 2 40-page documents?...no way.

You claimed it could't be done. I disagreed with facts. And the fact is most Mac users geeky enough to be upset over this issue absolutely can learn how to diff files - use diff, MS Word, whatever tool you like, but don't claim it can't be done. Fact is you are entering into a legal agreement with them - it's your responsibility to read and understand it.

The fact that it is 40 pages long is irrelevant. Apple is inundated with ridiculous law suits every day - they're just covering their butts here. If you have a problem with the length or wording of the agreement, blame the lawyers.

 

[WilliamLondon]

Remember when I mentioned how you fervently hate Google? Your last few posts alone serve as proof. ;D

And your point would be?

I fervently hate Google too. Such callous disregard for personal privacy and they have the audacity to claim that anyone wanting theirs protected is hiding something that isn't appropriate or perhaps legal. I hate that company.

 

[dutchninja80]

I agree that our privacy should be kept private. But is this any different to google, microsoft, facebook or cookies storing your browsing information? Every time you do a microsoft update they know exactly what your computer is running, programs you have and maybe even the last dvd you copied. I also heard that google stores a everything you search on their server. And facebook is far worse in my opinion and they have been having privacy issues for a long time. Everyday we do things on the internet where our information is stored and read by someone else. And do you really believe all those websites that say they don't sell your private data? Who checks up on this?

Of course I don't like the fact that there is someone who might know my exact location. But it was also my choice to buy an iPhone knowing this information. Just as it's still my choice to browse the internet knowing that it might be being stored. I think there are a lot of people who don't know about these little things.

 

[rjohnstone]

Every time you do a microsoft update they know exactly what your computer is running, programs you have and maybe even the last dvd you copied.

Not true.
It send nothing to Microsoft. It uses a pull method, not push.
Microsoft Update (Windows Update) downloads an XML file of available updates and compares it to what you have installed on your system to determine if an update is needed.
A compare is done on your PC and then presents you with the results of that compare. The results determine what you will need to download.
None of your data is sent to Microsoft.

Any junior sys admin should already know this.