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Apple Lays Out Location Collection Policies
itwbennett writes "In a 13-page reply (PDF) to questions from Congressmen Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Joe Barton of Texas, Apple said iPhones running OS 3.2 or iOS 4 collect GPS data and encrypt it before sending it back to Apple every 12 hours via Wi-Fi. Attached to the GPS data is a random identification number generated by the phone every 24 hours. The information is not associated with a particular customer and Apple uses the data to analyze traffic patterns and density, it said. Apple collects such data from customers who have approved the use of location-based capabilities on the phone and who actually use an application that requires GPS."
Your monthly bandwidth usage bill will be following shortly.
Yeah but what do they use the data for? It's nice that they admit they collect this info, but for what purpose.
Could be useful to marketing. Look for a place where iphone users congregate and you have the ideal location for an upmarket gay bar.
Don't you know anything? Apple can do no wrong, because Steve Jobs said so.
The price is always right if someone else is paying.
But then they wouldn't get the external IP of one of your commonly used wifi networks... Er, I mean, sending that heavy, heavy, extra data over AT&T's delicate network would be bad...
I can't wait to see the responses from the Worshipers explaining this one.
I believe the standard response is, if you're not doing anything "wrong", what are you trying to hide?
For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
This isn't about the iPhone. All phones are capable of revealing your location. If you're concerned, as you say, about this then you need to make this not be about the iPhone because it isn't iPhone-specific. Any smartphone with a GPS has this ability. Any cellphone connected to a cell network has this ability. If this is a subject that matters to you than don't focus in on one product.
(no, I don't have an iPhone4 nor will I)
Then, WTF are you even doing in this discusssion, beesides trolling and Apple-hating?
Go the fuck away, Fucktard.
If you have a problem with it then - and I'll even bold the text so you don't miss it - TURN IT OFF! Their location services can be turned off on an app-by-app basis (and the pop up window that asks if they can gather your location is very clear and concise - nobody will be fooled into it) or can be globally turned off, system wide. If you are concerned about people knowing where you are, don't let them know. It's really not that hard.
A-FREAKIN-MEN, brother!!!
What's hysterical (and hysterically funny) is seeing all the Android-Droids defend that platform to the death, when it's revealed that one in five Android apps have (unfettered) access to your private data (including location?), with the statement "Well, YOU gave it PERMISSION when you installed the app!", are the SAME people who are crying "Apple == Big Brother!".
Gimme a frakkin' BREAK, already! This has LONG abandoned "rational debate".
Apps have to ask permission. Already this is retarded - feel free to say no to location tracking, as long as you don't want iTunes store on your iDevice?
No, it just means that the iTunes store can't use Location Services.
as long as location services are enabled on the phone at all. I'm of the understanding they are by default.
And just as easy to turn on and off at ANY time. No legalese required. Don't like your APPROXIMATE location being ANONYMOUSLY reported? TURN THE FUCKING SERVICE OFF!!!
Way to troll, fucktard.
iAds collects the data unless the whole location service system is turned off, and it's on by default.
And there's nothing anonymous about their system - the anonymity is a lie, as I already explained.
But the location system can be turned off by the user at ANY TIME. Turn it off until needed. Saves (a lot!) of battery, anyway.
PROVE that the system isn't sufficiently anonymous, don't just ASSert it.
BTW, what is the going rate for astroturfing AGAINST Apple? And if you actually know of any programs to do pro-Apple astroturfing, please send me the link, because I'd LOVE to get paid for writing about what I already believe to be TRUE.