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Federal Lawsuit Filed Over Apple's Location Tracking in iOS [Updated]

Collateral Damage

What can Apple do when the master plan agreed by the user: (1) collect (2) use and (3) share (e.g. sell) location data generates that much trouble at step (1).

Either swear to never share the data and thereby killing the plan? or explain the plan in detail and generate more trouble? No way! Shutting up and pointing at others with with the same agenda (Google) is definitely the best option. Something else might come up and the issue may die.

I think there can be little doubt that the data is collected and synched (to the computer in step 1) intentionally. More precise data and real time synching to be added later. I don't presume its intention is to spy out individuals (who cares anyway), but rather it compromises the commercial cornerstone of the mobile internet. Misuse of the data is just collateral damage.


nvbrit said:
if for some reason this file is used to cache data that could be sent to Apple, you already agreed to it. This is Apple's privacy policy regarding location-based services...

Location-Based Services

To provide location-based services on Apple products, Apple and our partners and licensees may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device. This location data is collected anonymously in a form that does not personally identify you and is used by Apple and our partners and licensees to provide and improve location-based products and services. For example, we may share geographic location with application providers when you opt in to their location services.​
Click to expand...
 
Interesting reads from today and one year ago about the collection of Data by Apple...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/technology/26locate.html?src=busln

http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/29/apple-location/

Not "news" about Skyhook for many. But for those that aren't aware - about a year ago, Apple ditched partnering/paying Skyhook and started collecting data in house to build their own databases. It was disclosed - although the article states it was "buried" in the agreement. But interesting reads for some background and what potentially is the use case for this data.

As for the post above
facts said:
What can Apple do when the master plan agreed by the user: (1) collect (2) use and (3) share (e.g. sell) location data generates that much trouble at step (1).

Either swear to never share the data and thereby killing the plan? or explain the plan in detail and generate more trouble? No way! Shutting up and pointing at others with with the same agenda (Google) is definitely the best option. Something else might come up and the issue may die.

I think there can be little doubt that the data is collected and synched (to the computer in step 1) intentionally. More precise data and real time synching to be added later. I don't presume its intention is to spy out individuals (who cares anyway), but rather it compromises the commercial cornerstone of the mobile internet. Misuse of the data is just collateral damage.
Click to expand...

But you can't opt out. And that's an issue for some. Turning off location based services doesn't stop the phone from collecting coordinates.
 
slackpacker said:
Think of it.... Apple Controls the Online music industry. They destroyed stores that sold CD's. They also now control a large portion of Phone industry and possibly by the news going after NetFlix. Apple is not the small upstart it once was struggling to get by. And they are making the competition mad. Apples a mature company and has plenty of money to defend itself you don't have to defend them.

Also I have not seen the real Obama Birth Certificate that he can get in two weeks. I honestly don't see the big deal with showing the Original signed document. There is a real signed Birth Certificate stored in Hawaii he has access to it its not like its lost.
Click to expand...

Actually, I disagree. Times change. We were shifting from physical media to digital downloadable media. All that Apple did was create a place to LEGALLY PURCHASE digital music and movies. Now the labels and Artist's can be paid for the downloaded files.

I happen to think that they did the music industry a service. I definitely buy more music via iTunes than I did when I was buying CDs
 
devilstrider said:
Bet they use this data for iADs.
Click to expand...

Oh, definitely! They have all of these iAd kiosks set up across the world. There, you hand over your phone to the representative, since, you know, you can only access the data if you have physical access to the device. Then, they're able to tell you about deals going on in your county, since that's the level of fidelity they track you to.

Man, what a great idea by Apple! :rolleyes:
 
Apple?

They need to get fried! Enough of Steve Jobs' BS with the secrecy and control crap.

This is a new technology era, Apple nor Microsoft are leaders any more.

Apple is a flash tecno producer, Microsoft is an institution.

Apple, WAKE UP!
 
M-O said:
wow, this has officially been blown out of proportion!
Click to expand...

Amen, I'm sick of these effing retards that go out and find blood sucking lawyers to make their case. If you don't want anyone to know where you are (because you're doing something you shouldn't be doing), then don't carry a fracking radio transmitter.
 
bearcatrp said:
I thought jobs stated they are not tracking users. But according to the statement above, they are collecting the data. So, is this file being uploaded to apple or not? Come on apple, TELL US THE TRUTH!
Click to expand...

My guess is that is data from location services, which you can turn on and off. I'm hoping they come out and explain it as well, but I don't think this file has anything to do with it the "anonymous data" sent from location services.
 
mygoldens said:
They need to get fried! Enough of Steve Jobs' BS with the secrecy and control crap.

This is a new technology era, Apple nor Microsoft are leaders any more.

Apple is a flash tecno producer, Microsoft is an institution.

Apple, WAKE UP!
Click to expand...

Another moron spouting.
 
Location services without using a GPS...how do they work?

My iPod touch can nail my location anywhere in the city to within 100m using nothing but a WiFi connection - without magic.

I would speculate an opt out has not been provided so far by :apple: because:
  1. they assume since they are not tracking the user, collecting this data is innocuous and harms no one (and actually helps with homing which is good)
  2. Most people, without understanding what it is or what it affects would turn it off because they've heard somewhere from someone that they should - leading to diminished sample size for this data collection, thus reducing accuracy/effectiveness from a 100% participation rate

This all boils down to whether you believe Apple or not. A good thing about the case is that it will lead to disclosure about precisely what's going on for the tinfol hats, but I personally believe this whole situation is silly.

Apple has already disclosed they collect this type of info. You just didn't bother reading all 60 some pages of the IOS software license agreement, like everyone else didn't.
 
Last edited:
I don't have anger problems...I have idiot problems...

I wouldn't worry about this since the report states that there are 2 people nationwide filing this suit. But while they are at it, they should go after google, android and just about any other organization that tracks you (ie GPS manufacturers).

By the way, if you are so much against this feature you have three options:

Get over it
Turn location services off
Don't buy the product

Also, who was the company that prided itself by using this feature? Boost mobile i think? They had that commercial that had people wearing big colored dots representing where they were on the screen. Maybe we should sue them too!
 
maclaptop said:
Apples bad karma, and penchant for firing off law suits comes back to them.

Apple loves negative energy, they love chaos, they love attention, well they just got what gets them off.
Click to expand...


The Troll is back Just came here a couple weeks ago to post this claptrap. Review its posting history. Here's the first:

"maclaptop
macrumors 6502
*
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Western Hemisphere
Please Help with OS versions MBP & iPhone 4
Just switched from PC to Mac

Bought a new 2010 MBP with 10.6.4, and a new iPhone 4 with 4.3.x

I've been using the computer for about five months, but the iPhone just arrived right now, and I haven't even unpacked it yet when a question came to mind.

Question:

May I sync the new iPhone to iTunes for the Initial Setup WITHOUT updating OS X on my MBP?

I prefer NOT to just yet, since the computer is running perfectly and I'm still getting accustomed to it.

I'm also not ready to have the Mac App Store installed until I get familiar with the rest of this change from PC to Mac. "
 
I see no problems as long as all this info gets deleted when a remote wipe is done.
 
If you are paranoid...

how about just encrypting the backup under 'options' in iTunes? Haven't tested to see if that prevents access to tracking data — just a thought.
 
mygoldens said:
They need to get fried! Enough of Steve Jobs' BS with the secrecy and control crap.

This is a new technology era, Apple nor Microsoft are leaders any more.

Apple is a flash tecno producer, Microsoft is an institution.

Apple, WAKE UP!
Click to expand...

YEAH!!! All Power To The People!! RIGHT ON!!!

And while were at it, make sure that it takes a full minute to get a geolocation because I have to go directly to the satellite instead of pre-querying via cell tower info stored on my local device.
And then I can rant about how EVIL AND INFERIOR APPLE IS!!!
 
We "Trust" the phone company, But no Apple

Yea, The phone company knows where you are. Otherwise you don't get your calls. Oh, but that's ok, I need to call my friends (while I'm driving), so I trust the phone company not collect my location information, but Apple, no way man. Just can't be, Apple is bad, I bought their product cuz it's so cooool. But I didn't read the fine print on the legal statement that I signed when I bought it, so now I'm going to sue because I'm a retard.
 
I think there are two sides to this.

First, the lawsuit is nothing but an annoyance, and there is just a bit of grandstanding in Congress and sensationalizing in the media going on. Plus some hysteria on Macrumors.

On the other hand, these emerging technologies are creating a new set of social and ethical issues, and privacy is certainly at the center of it all. These issues need to be discovered, explored, and discussed; and, if necessary, legislation may be needed to protect us from new forms of abuse.

So I think what the researchers did was important. And if Congress ever gets around to a serious investigation, that could result in something worthwhile as well.

Apple is only in the spotlight, along with Google, because Apple and Google are the leaders in getting these new technologies out into the marketplace. The true implications of new technologies only become apparent as they are deployed, and Apple/Google are deploying them.
 
It's 2011 and people are shocked that cell phones keep track of them. This is old news and is being blown out of proportion.
 
We "Trust" the phone company, But not Apple

Yea, The phone company knows where you are. Otherwise you don't get your calls. Oh, but that's ok, I need to call my friends (while I'm driving), so I trust the phone company not collect my location information, but Apple, no way man. Just can't be, Apple is bad, I bought their product cuz it's so cooool. But I didn't read the fine print on the legal statement that I signed when I bought it, so now I'm going to sue because I'm a retard.
 
samcraig said:
Interesting reads from today and one year ago about the collection of Data by Apple...
Click to expand...

The NYTimes article is disappointing to say the least. Lazy reporting, making it sound like Google's and Apple's horse in the race is the same.
Google sells people, Apple sells product.
Apple collects tower data to make the experience better. Google may do that as a side issue, but their primary business is selling your info (in the form of your eyeballs.)
That they don't point that out is disingenuous at best.
 
Suing to get their money back?

So they can purchase an Android phone where your locations are sent back to the mother ship?

wow... These guys aren't rocket scientists!
 
Steve Job's Responses

It will be probably be:

"Don't use a smart phone."

Seriously, if you use a mobile phone, some element of where you are and what you are doing is going to be saved/transmitted from that device. If you are that concerned about privacy, then spend the extra coin and get something secure. There's really no way around the fact that if you want modern day miracles, there is some tradeoff. That's not Apple being a spy (they aren't even collecting this information), it's just a reality in how this magic happens.

So, if you don't like it, don't use a phone.
 
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