Apple faces questions from Congress about iPhone tracking

Avatard · 04-21-2011, 03:35 PM

Sen. Al Franken (D.-Minn.), who chairs a new privacy panel set up in February, yesterday asked Apple to explain why its iPhones are tracking users' locations.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is also reportedly looking into the matter, while a Congressman from Washington State has followed Franken's lead, promising to ask questions of his own.

More...

shmike · 04-21-2011, 04:02 PM

I guess I was under the impression that the data being collected was going somewhere.

This article makes it sound as if the data collected is stored on the phone and/or desktop/laptop/etc. that the associated iTunes is on correct?

Avatard · 04-21-2011, 04:33 PM

The database is apparently stored in a local unencrypted file. Who has access, is yet to be made clear, but obviously serious privacy concerns arise when someone (a third party) leaves someone else's aggregate personal information lying about unencrypted. The file is said to be backed up by time machine. Apple's motivation for this creepy little bit of stalking is obviously what's at question here.

Avatard · 04-21-2011, 05:38 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/mobile/...ex.html?hpt=C1

Trip · 04-21-2011, 05:55 PM

I just can't take Al Franken seriously.

Avatard · 04-21-2011, 06:07 PM

Must have something to do with him being a comedian.

Could you take Carrot Top seriously?

Dave · 04-21-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avatard

Must have something to do with him being a comedian.

Could you take Carrot Top seriously?

seriously? he works out too much to take him

Kaneman · 04-22-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avatard

Must have something to do with him being a comedian.

Could you take Carrot Top seriously?

I can't take him seriously because he's a jack booted thug of a politician, no different than the rest.

I thought it was already well known that all carriers can look back through your phone and see when and where you've been....

Homeslice · 04-22-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaneman

I can't take him seriously because he's a jack booted thug of a politician, no different than the rest.

I thought it was already well known that all carriers can look back through your phone and see when and where you've been....

They might be able to use the data for their own internal purposes, but they can't give it to anyone without a court order.

The point is, this data is available for anyone to steal, if they get access to either your phone or your PC.

Avatard · 04-21-2011, 07:44 PM

http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...421_195911.htm

04-21-2011, 03:35 PM	#1
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	Apple faces questions from Congress about iPhone tracking Sen. Al Franken (D.-Minn.), who chairs a new privacy panel set up in February, yesterday asked Apple to explain why its iPhones are tracking users' locations. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is also reportedly looking into the matter, while a Congressman from Washington State has followed Franken's lead, promising to ask questions of his own. More... __________________ Insert free thought here.

04-21-2011, 04:02 PM	#2
shmike Follower Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,549	I guess I was under the impression that the data being collected was going somewhere. This article makes it sound as if the data collected is stored on the phone and/or desktop/laptop/etc. that the associated iTunes is on correct? __________________ Racing For Smiles

04-21-2011, 04:33 PM	#3
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	The database is apparently stored in a local unencrypted file. Who has access, is yet to be made clear, but obviously serious privacy concerns arise when someone (a third party) leaves someone else's aggregate personal information lying about unencrypted. The file is said to be backed up by time machine. Apple's motivation for this creepy little bit of stalking is obviously what's at question here. __________________ Insert free thought here.

04-21-2011, 05:38 PM	#4
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/mobile/...ex.html?hpt=C1 __________________ Insert free thought here.

04-21-2011, 06:07 PM	#6
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	Must have something to do with him being a comedian. Could you take Carrot Top seriously? __________________ Insert free thought here.

04-21-2011, 05:55 PM	#5
Trip Hold mah beer! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 80 Miles South of Moto Heaven Moto: 08 R1200GS Posts: 23,268	I just can't take Al Franken seriously.

04-21-2011, 07:44 PM	#10
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	Researcher: iPhone Location Data Already Used By Cops http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...421_195911.htm __________________ Insert free thought here.