Via the LA Times:
Apple Inc. is now collecting the “precise,” “real-time geographic location” of its users’ iPhones, iPads and computers.
In an updated version of its privacy policy, the company added a paragraph noting that once users agree, Apple and unspecified “partners and licensees” may collect and store user location data.
When users attempt to download apps or media from the iTunes store, they are prompted to agree to the new terms and conditions. Until they agree, they cannot download anything through the store.
The company says the data is anonymous and does not personally identify users. Analysts have shown, however, that large, specific data sets can be used to identify people based on behavior patterns.
This confirms my suspicions that technology is recording my every boring move. Speaking of moving, I’ve got an underground bunker in Idaho with my name on it. (I just have to knife fight my cousin/dad for squatter’s rights.) Try tracking me there, Mantracker Apple.
Hat tip Fifty-Two-Eighty
later iphone
Hat tip back atcha.
Your dad is also your cousin?… That explains alot.
Hint: http://www.android.com/
Gay rags make bad technology reporters. http://tinyurl.com/2fophej Android phones have done this from the get go. *every* Nextel handset reports your gps location to the network, and I am pretty sure its in the Verizon TOS that they can do the same at will.
When gmail keeps your email forever, and facebook knows all your social interactions, its a bit late to get upset about being tracked on your cellphone in a manner thats been available for a decade.
Gay rags make bad technology reporters. http://tinyurl.com/2fophej Android phones have done this from the get go. *every* Nextel handset reports your gps location to the network, and I am pretty sure its in the Verizon TOS that they can do the same at will.
When gmail keeps your email forever, and facebook knows all your social interactions, its a bit late to get upset about being tracked on your cellphone in a manner thats been available for a decade.
Sort of makes this whole online anonymity thing pretty pointless, doesn’t it?
@5/6: If you bothered to read the story, or my post of this in the comments to the Morning News, you’d know that Apple is not only gathering this information, but also selling it. And yes, that IS news.
Doesn’t this violate our strong state privacy laws – even the feds can’t track our cars with locators without a court order.
@8 @9
Your sadly mistaken if you believe that usage data on a private companies network belongs to you.
also @8 the only reason every other cellular company in the world hasn’t sold usage data is because they haven’t figured out how to monetize it. yet. They are all trying very hard to figure out how. The fact that apple wrapped it up in a little bow is just icing on the cake for them.
Your additional presumption that I would dig around three separate threads for your comments is delightfully absurd as well.
Nobody asked you to read three separate threads; reading the source article before commenting on it is sort of mandatory, though. Unless you’re just a loudmouth dickhead who shoots from the hip without knowing what he’s talking about. We’ve got plenty of those already.
Sorry I couldn’t see through your stream of verbal diarrhea to see if you were able to address any points.
The stranger blog is a piss poor forum for these types of issues. Its not a news article, its by definition a shoot from the hip opinion piece. This subject in particular has been vetted to death on engadget, slashdot and others. This post, and your sad reactionary responses are the standard level of discourse on pitbull posts and others, where the issue itself is totally ignored.
@ everybody: big deal. Back in the ol’ land line days the phone companies knew where we were whenever we were on the fucking phone. And, they even published a book with our addresses and numbers in it! The only thing private is what’s in your fucking head assuming you don’t post it online or tell anyone.
@13 YOU DIDNT READ THE ARTICLE YOUR AN ASSHOLE!
oh wait, I agree with you.
@13 and you’re the same idiot that will be complaining when the non stop target marketing assault begins.
@11: I vote dickhead.
@meanie: If its new then your wrong, it doesn’t matter why they weren’t doing it before.
@everyone: A fight for privacy is a right we all get with life, even if you sell away your privacy you are entitled to fight, bitch, whine and kill to get it back, It’s YOUR whole fucking life, don’t listen to anyone!
@15: In like, a year will you have to change your name?
@ 13 In the land-line era nobody actually knew where you were except for the exact moment you made a call from your own home, and even then it might not be you but your mother, anyone else you lived with or a burgler. They can now track you as long as your phone is turned on, whether you are making a call or not. As long as you don’t mind a corporation monitoring your every move and selling it on, it’s no big deal.
@15 – when? Dude that train left the station a LONG time ago.
@17 – countless corporations already do this.
@18 I am aware of point of sale tracking via credit/debit cards, but in those cases you have to buy something, one can carry cash and be a little more off the grid. There are also those tracking devices hidden in certain clothing brands, one can avoid buying Levis and etc, if one dosen’t want someone following one’s pants. Those examples given, it really is getting very difficult to be truly anonymous, which is rahter sad.
@19
“There are also those tracking devices hidden in certain clothing brands”
I think your tinfoil hat is a bit too tight today…
Thank goodness none of us uses debit or credit cards or the “man” might know that I buy a six pack of schmidt tallboys & tranny mags more than I purchase food.
Umm, wake up and smell the coffee? Your cell-phone company constantly tracks and records the vicinity of your phone; these records have been used for example in court to prove that a murderer was in the vicinity of his victim, not in a distant location as claimed.
From Apple Customer Privacy Policy:
Apple and its partners use cookies and other technologies in mobile advertising services to control the number of times you see a given ad, deliver ads that relate to your interests, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns. If you do not want to receive ads with this level of relevance on your mobile device, you can opt out by accessing the following link on your device: http://oo.apple.com.
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.
You can turn off location services in the settings of your iPhone. Any app that uses location services, will ask you whether to allow or deny the use of your location. You might want to turn it off for the camera app when taking pictures of you and your friends taking bong hits.