Apple faces questions from Congress about iPhone tracking

Avatard · 04-21-2011, 04:35 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.

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shmike · 04-21-2011, 05:02 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, 05:33 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, 06:38 PM

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

Trip · 04-21-2011, 06:55 PM

I just can't take Al Franken seriously.

Avatard · 04-21-2011, 07:07 PM

Must have something to do with him being a comedian.

Could you take Carrot Top seriously?

Avatard · 04-21-2011, 08:44 PM

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

Dave · 04-21-2011, 09:15 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

the chi · 04-22-2011, 10:14 AM

What I want to know is why is congress and our govt worrying about bullshit like baseball and apple when they are killing the govt themselves. Is this how they try to take our attention off themselves? Friggin a, how bout we run the govt for a change?!?!?

Not to mention, ppl are voluntarily tracking themselves (checking in place on FB, etc.), so why make such a big deal about this?

Particle Man · 04-22-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the chi

Not to mention, ppl are voluntarily tracking themselves (checking in place on FB, etc.), so why make such a big deal about this?

This - Check-in feature kinda does that already

04-21-2011, 04:35 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, 05:02 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, 05:33 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, 06:38 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, 07:07 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, 06:55 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, 08:44 PM	#7
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.