They Know Where You Are - Apple Is Telling Them

[cdnvic]

Privacy Change: Apple Knows Where Your Phone Is And Is Telling People

By Meg Marco on June 21, 2010 9:50 PM

Apple updated its privacy policy today, with an important, and dare we say creepy new paragraph about location information. If you agree to the changes, (which you must do in order to download anything via the iTunes store) you agree to let Apple collect store and share "precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device."

Apple says that the data is "collected anonymously in a form that does not personally identify you," but for some reason we don't find this very comforting at all. There appears to be no way to opt-out of this data collection without giving up the ability to download apps.

Here's the full text:

Location-Based Services To provide location-based services on Apple products, Apple and our partners and licensees may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device. This location data is collected anonymously in a form that does not personally identify you and is used by Apple and our partners and licensees to provide and improve location-based products and services. For example, we may share geographic location with application providers when you opt in to their location services.

Some location-based services offered by Apple, such as the MobileMe "Find My iPhone" feature, require your personal information for the feature to work.

"

Read the full article at:

Privacy Change: Apple Knows Where Your Phone Is And Is Telling People - The Consumerist

[angiud]

Steve Jobs is simply greed and disgusting. He and the other wonder boy wearing glasses changed from the politically correct young businessman to the worst stereotype of the capitalist with the top hat

[junglist]

Love my MacBook Pro. Onnly use it for music and Art. Wish i got it years ago. I dont use it for emails or web so i think i am safe...

[cdnvic]

I too am a fan of MacBooks. But that doesn't change what they are doing to their mobile customers.

Let's not turn this into a love/hate Apple thing. That's not the point.

[Crushdepth]

IMHO the collection of location data should be illegal without consent - as should depriving customers of functionality until they agree to give it. Basically Apple is holding people to ransom by depriving them of access to functionality.

The data Apple collects for their own purpose may be anonymous, but if they have the mere *capability* to collect data on individuals then I have no doubt that government agencies are going to start requiring them to do that. Most of the governments in the region aren't big on due process or human rights.

[Gerryasia]

Apple has always been one of THE most proprietary/predatory IT companies.

They want some kind of a continuing fee for virtually everything they produce.

They are blood-sucking leeches and thier stuff just ain't that great.

I was given a very nice MacBook Pro and I don't even use it.

My Chinese produced Compaq is MUCH better and easier to use.

Steve Jobs is a tyrant.

End of rant.

'~'

[cdnvic]

Let's not turn this into a love/hate Apple thing. That's not the point.

[HDRIDER]

I don’t think they should be allowed to do it, on the other hand it has been proven to catch criminals a lot of time, for me, i don’t give a dam_n if they know where i am, maybe someday i can call them and they can help me home if i am too drunk to remember where i live.

[innerspace]

The iphone has an on/off switch for location services.

If you don't want people accessing it, switch it off.

Also when an app wants to use location services it asks you whether to allow it.

Anyway, my understanding of the text above is very reasonable.

If you want to use a location aware app (eg. maps) then the app and the app provider may collect and use your location. How else are they expected to work?

Your location is already being recorded (admittedly less accurate) by your mobile provider which stores when and where you connect to a specific tower.

[Samuian]

The iphone has an on/off switch for location services.

If you don't want people accessing it, switch it off.

Also when an app wants to use location services it asks you whether to allow it.

Anyway, my understanding of the text above is very reasonable.

If you want to use a location aware app (eg. maps) then the app and the app provider may collect and use your location. How else are they expected to work?

Your location is already being recorded (admittedly less accurate) by your mobile provider which stores when and where you connect to a specific tower.

GOOD Point!

There is so much paranoia about "personal data", if so, don't store any on the devices one is using!

It's all about delivering a good web-based service, advertising and yes money, but this is the stuff "that makes the world go 'round" isn't it?

Edited June 23, 2010 by Samuian

[bkkjames]

I notice when I go into QSNCC and there is some kind of mobile / computer show going on, I get SMSs out of the blue to visit booth Axx etc.

They know where you are - be very very worried. 

[Crushdepth]

If you want to use a location aware app (eg. maps) then the app and the app provider may collect and use your location. How else are they expected to work?

There is a difference between an *app* requesting data relevant to your location, and your phone company or Apple actually recording where you are or have been. The switch stops apps sharing location data but it won't hide your location from the phone company or Apple.

I am not particularly concerned about passing out my location when I want a map or something. What I object to such data being *retained* for the use and abuse of others.