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Tim Cook Publishes Open Letter on Maps for iOS 6

skunnykart said:
By "data stealing" do you mean the storing and monitoring of your map search and usage data? Are you sure that your search and usage data is not being monitored by Apple and other non-google map vendors?
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...As Britain’s privacy watchdog was accused of being lily-livered in its handling of Google, regulators in the US and continental Europe confronted it head on.
In Germany Google was forced to stop filming for Street View owing to privacy concerns by Hamburg prosecutors, who opened a criminal investigation.
In France Google was fined £87,000 by the privacy regulator CNIL, the largest it had ever handed out.
In the Czech Republic Street View was banned in September 2010 after negotiations between Google and the authorities over privacy concerns failed.
A Tory MP said he would raise the issue of Google’s information gathering when Parliament reconvenes.
Robert Halfon said: ‘The FCC report seems to indicate that there is far more to it than an innocent mistake. Clearly what happened is unacceptable.
'Google created the privatised surveillance society by hoovering up our emails and wifi data. Google has some serious questions to answer.’


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...n-executives-covered-years.html#ixzz27nilXxHW

Map_06_18_10.jpg

Many countries around the world have launched investigations of Google Street View. The number of investigations increased dramatically once it was determined that Google was collecting Wi-Fi data in addition to digital images. The purpose of this page is to provide an overview of the various investigations. We will update the page as information is received. Please send updates to streetviewwatch@epic.org

Following numerous protests around the world, Google ended its illegal collection of wifi data transmissions. The company, which originally claimed it was not even collecting wifi data, was forced to admit that it had collected payload data, although at first Google only admitted to collecting "fragments" of such data. Eventually after investigations revealed it, Google acknowledged that "in some instances entire emails and URLs were captured, as well as passwords."

As of 2012, investigations have gone forward in at least 12 countries, and at least 9 countries have found Google guilty of violating their laws.

For more information on the events surrounding the closure of the FCC's Street View investigation, see EPIC: FCC Investigations of Street View

Latest News
 
December 14, 2010 - (Former) Connecticut AG Blumenthal issues a civil investigative demand for Google Street View data.
December 14, 2010 - New Zealand Privacy Commissioner finds Google violated New Zealand privacy law.
January 6, 2011 - The South Korea National Police determine that Google broke Korean privacy law.
January 28, 2011 - Connecticut AG Jensen drops the Civil Investigative Demand, and agrees to Google stipulation and settlement negotiations.
March 21, 2011 - France CNIL fines Google 100,000 Euros for violating French privacy laws.
March 30, 2012 - EPIC files an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit urging the court to affirm legal protections for users of home Wi-Fi networks.
April 13, 2012 - FCC fines Google $25,000 for obstructing an FCC investigation; releases redacted report.
April 18, 2012 - EPIC files a FOIA request with the FCC for the complete, unredacted Google Street View report.
April 26, 2012 - Google responds to FCC and agrees to pay the $25,000 fine; reveals existence of DOJ investigation.

Under federal and state laws, Google may be both civilly and criminally liable for the unauthorized capture of data from private Wi-Fi networks in the United States. Google's conduct may constitute violations of the federal Wiretap Act and the federal Pen/Trap Act. Google may also be liable for deceiving consumers and violating individuals' privacy.

Potentially Relevant Federal Statutes
Under the federal Wiretap Act, it is illegal to "intentionally intercept[] . . . any wire, oral, or electronic communication." Moreover, even if an interception is not intentional, anyone who, "having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, oral, or electronic communication," uses such information is also guilty of a violation of the Wiretap Act.

The FCC is the federal agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The seven Bureaus of the FCC are responsible for, among other things, analyzing complaints, conducting investigations, enforcing the Communications Act, and protecting consumers in communications matters.

On May 21, 2010, EPIC wrote to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, asking the Commission to launch an investigation into Google's conduct. In particular, EPIC asked the Commission to determine whether Google's collection of Wi-Fi communications may have violated the Wiretap Act or the Communications Act.

On June 11, 2010, the FCC's Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs published a blog post reminding consumers how to protect their Wi-Fi networks and stating that "collecting information sent over Wi-Fi networks clearly infringes on consumer privacy."

On November 10, 2010, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Federal Communications Commission had opened an investigation into Google's secretive interception and collection of wifi data collection.

On April 13, 2012, the FCC closed an investigation into Google Street View by announcing that it will fine the company $25,000 for obstruction. The FCC found that Google impeded the investigation by “delaying its search for and production of responsive emails and other communications, by failing to identify employees, and by withholding verification of the completeness and accuracy of its submissions.” Although the base forfeiture for failing to respond to an FCC inquiry is $4,000, the FCC determined that Google’s conduct warranted an upward adjustment. In many cases, Google’s failure to cooperate was deliberate. Furthermore, the FCC found that “[m]isconduct of this nature threatens to compromise the Commission’s ability to effectively investigate possible violations of the Communications Act and the Commission’s rules.” Thus, the FCC fined Google $25,000. The FCC may impose a fine of up to $112,500 for each violation

and it continues and continues and continues. Google is well known not only for stealing ideas and IP for Android but also stealing private information, including map related information.

Good riddance
 
Qfic said:
Afraid of conflict much? Parents fight a little too often as a kid?
Adults voice their discontent when something they have purchased does not live up to their expectations, it is up to the company to make that right, which it appears they are taking the steps to do.
It would seem you are a bit lost, not surprising considering the situation. If your mission is to bring peace to the world and end all arguments and conflict, then perhaps you can take your own advice and direct yourself to a forum about volunteering.
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Not afraid of conflict. Believe that. Not "lost" either. Quit whining and grow a pair.

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samcraig said:
Lovely. Apparently the CEO of Apple doesn't think it works just fine. Or maybe you missed the very letter that starts this thread. Might want to go back and read that before you resort to calling people making legitimate complaints "spoiled brats", "fanboys", "Fandroids" and "little girls"

Apparently Maps isn't' that important to you. Which is fine. What if it were the email app? The music app? An unresponsive screen? Battery issues? Etc.

Just curious why you think this majorly touted feature in the keynote is any less worthy of concern than anything else?
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It's called PR. Public Relations. Same thing happened with "Antennae Gate". The Maps App may not be perfect but this entire thing has been blown WAY out of proportion by the media. Apple is forced to respond and they've done so in a very timely fashion.

That's business. Smart business.
 
I am starting to understand why Apple is called a sect by some people. The new map app sucks and we all know it, but it is the new iPhone so it has to be awsome and some people here come up with ridiculous reason to justify this feature of iOS 6, because why else would we spend approximately 700 Bucks on it. Only insane people would do that and we are not insane right. Am I somewhere close to your thought patterns?
 
Geckotek said:
Reminds me of the Microsoft lawsuits in the early 2000's. The results meant you can now choose alternative apps as defaults in Windows. Apple needs to be sued over this as well I think.
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Except Apple doesn't have anything near a monopoly on anything. They aren't restraining trade.
 
StyxMaker said:
Except Apple doesn't have anything near a monopoly on anything. They aren't restraining trade.
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Yes and Android share in smartphones is higher than of Apple. It means that in Android should be subject to criminal investigation for monopoly power abuse.
 
Ferry888 said:
This open letter is like confessing to your wife you messed up and hope for forgiveness.
Tim, please. iPhone 5 are still selling like hot cakes in which ever part of the world they are released.
Anyone who owns Apple stock will disapprove of your spineless excuse.
Going as far as recommending 3rd party developers and competitors as alternatives instead of Apple's own is not good for the company image.
I'd rather have Apple stayed silent the topic and come back with a vengeance within a year.
This letter is a sign of weakness, which I deem unnecessary given the sales figures of the new iPhone 5's.
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I own apple stock and I don't disagree with Tim cook apologising, nor with recommending alternatives. It's the very least he could do. But let's see some action too, not just hollow words.
 
Hell0W0rld said:
I am starting to understand why Apple is called a sect by some people. The new map app sucks and we all know it, but it is the new iPhone so it has to be awsome and some people here come up with ridiculous reason to justify this feature of iOS 6, because why else would we spend approximately 700 Bucks on it. Only insane people would do that and we are not insane right. Am I somewhere close to your thought patterns?
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its an app. and its not THE most important app for most people. i use it occassionally so its important to me, yes. but there are millions of people who doesnt give a rats asH. so, its all about who u r and what u use. for me, personally, ios6 is better. and u know the reason? it may be laughable to many but i really like the vip feature in mail and panorama (yea yea other apps have it). some may say i should look at android, i wont cause i am perfectly happy with apples walled garden. am i stupid? mmm...i am young (<35), i have a phd in engineering and i work in a research organization..to some, i am supposed to be fascinated by android. i tried hard about one and a half yrs ago and i didnt like it. no point switching at this stage because as i said, i am happy, even with the awful map app. the apple i come to know in last one and a half year, it will improve fast. and will satisfy my reqs.:)
 
Oletros said:
No, Android is not investigated for stealing technology

I repeat, you have said that as Android has a great marketshare it has to be investigated for monopolistic practices, why?
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Android and Google are being investigated for stealing technology, you are late. For example, Android-using companies have to pay penalties for stolen licenses to companies like MS.

It should be investigated because Google dumps its stolen technology on market and is engaged in unfair trade practices, hurting innovation, stifling progress and reducing competition.
 
MacFlorida said:
Why would TomTom do a good job for Apple, when the company itself is in terrible shape? TomTom Gps’s themselves are not that great. Why would they put work into making the iphone 5 maps better?

Actually, I'm more concerned about the logic for Directions.
I can live with the maps being a little off.

I think most of us knew it would be terrible at driving directions the moment they announced involvement with TomTom.

The driving directions given by the iphone 5 have TomTom written all over it.
It’s just a terrible calculating engine that I don’t think can be fixed any time soon.

Those who have seen a TomTom in action, and then compare it to a Garmin will know what I mean.

For one of many examples, when leaving the airport via a major highway, the iPhone 5 takes us off the highway to avoid a toll and travel about 20 minutes thru the worst part of town with about 50 stop lights. It then joins the highway about 6 miles down. No other GPS device in the world would ever do this! I feel sorry for tourist who rely on the phone 5 for these kind of directions.

I’ve seen the phone recommend driving 3 extra miles past the destination and get on the highway, and then return via another route. Every other GPS device I own recommends driving an easy 0.2 miles to the destination.

Driving to my house, the phone recommends driving past by 1 mile, doing a uturn , and then coming back to the same spot. Just terrible.

No other GPS I’ve ever owned (about 6 over the years) have ever done this.

TomTom won’t be able fix the logic for driving directions for themselves, and won’t be able to fix it for Apple either.

Thank you Apple for acknowledging this problem !!
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The driving directions I've received from the IOS6 turn by turn feature have exactly matched those I've gotten on the Navigon app and my stand alone Garmen GPS.
 
Queue the "If Steve Jobs were here..." comments...


...but seriously... I think it would have been better if Apple just kept quiet -- sure as hell worked for them in the past. What's with Tim going out and apologising for every 'mistake' Apple's made lately?

They've just acknowledged that they made a HUGE bungle.





... Steve would have just told us that we're looking at the maps wrong. XD
 
StoneJack said:
Android and Google are being investigated for stealing technology, you are late. For example, Android-using companies have to pay penalties for stolen licenses to companies like MS.

It should be investigated because Google dumps its stolen technology on market and is engaged in unfair trade practices, hurting innovation, stifling progress and reducing competition.
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Ah, now it is clear, you're joking and making a parody of an uninformed person.

Uf, for a moment I tought you were serious
 
Waxhead138 said:
Inferior? Very much arguable. In fact, outside of aesthetics, most would call you flat out wrong, if we're comparing apple products to apple products. (Outside of the current mapping situation.) If you're comparing the IP5 to a high end Android Phone then you have a completely different argument and a whole other can of worms to open.

Also: I think you very much missed my point. People bitch entirely too much about small time items in the Apple world, and that is where my complaint lies. People can of course use another platform and, currently, you're 100% correct that Android supplies a superior mapping solution compared to Apple in its current form.

In no way was I saying people don't have choices. I only mean that most people exhibit zero patience, and hold Apple to some unrealistic standard for a first roll out. Did they eff it up? Sure did, could have been better...but no matter how much better it could have been, people would still point an anonymous complaining finger over some insignificant detail. People just need to either deal with it (have a little faith, supply info where its needed for corrective purposes) or vote with their wallets and switch platforms. Needless bitching and finger pointing accomplishes nothing.
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I would agree that to some degree Apple do now seem to be under disproportionate scrutiny with things like this, but the inescapable truth is not only that Maps is a sub standard app, but one which has removed a much better equivalent.

Its all very well suggesting that people switch platforms, but I for one, on the balance of things, still prefer iOS to the alternatives (plus I have other Apple devices, so none of the alternatives are going to play ball together in the same way). So I'm going to stick with the iPhone. But I think myself and others retain the right to be both disappointed with the current Maps app, and also surprised that - whatever the circumstances - it came to be released in such an incomplete and inaccurate state.

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rever3nce said:
Happy to know maps is a first concern about buying a product. " so i got a great camera, new sleek design, bigger screen, LTE.... Ohh my maps "suck" i need something new?" Get over it. I have used maps plenty and nothing is wring with it. People just like to complain about anything and everything. Go make your own maps if you dont like it
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Nobody has said its their first concern though.

Relieved to hear that there is *nothing* wrong with it though, as last time I looked, there was actually quite a lot wrong with it.
 
Some people just don't understand why so many people are complaining. Problem is that those people living in big American cities don't realise that Maps can be crappy in other places of the world.
 
Oletros said:
Ah, now it is clear, you're joking and making a parody of an uninformed person.

Uf, for a moment I tought you were serious
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Well I guess its difficult for some to grasp ideas of stolen IP, stolen privacy and predatory pricing, but its OK, not anyone has to have high IQ and some are used to live with Google spyware.
 
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