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iOS 8 Strikes an Unexpected Blow Against Location Tracking

Posted by Unknown on from the waiting-for-obvious-patents dept.

schwit1 (797399) writes 'It wasn't touted onstage, but a new iOS 8 feature is set to cause havoc for location trackers, and score a major win for privacy.As spotted by Frederic Jacobs, the changes have to do with the MAC address used to identify devices within networks. When iOS 8 devices look for a connection, they randomize the MAC address, effectively disguising any trace of the real device until it decides to connect to a network.'

2 of 323 comments (clear)

  1. but changing MAC is like filing serial# off a car! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    At least according to the prosecutors who went after Aaron Swartz. His laptop got locked out of a network so he changed the MAC address with the built-in MacOS GUI utility and they said that was like filing the serial number off a car. Now all iphones are going to change it randomly during network scan? OMG, that's like a car that files off its own serial number every time you go around the block! Alert the authorities!!!!! Sigh.

  2. Re:Apple Actually Cares About Privacy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Generally, I've found this to be true. Their business model does not depend on a lack of customer privacy like Google.

    No, this is about 3rd parties tracking you - it means your iPhone does not provide its MAC address to the network(s) it has found. This never had anything to do with Apple tracking you nor does not stop Apple from keeping tabs on what networks you have identified while looking for a connection.