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iPhone Mapping User Locations Unbeknownst to Them

Apr 20, 2011, 1:01 PM by Eric M. Zeman

It has come to light that the Apple iPhone is constantly logging and keeping location data, and then transferring that data to any PC with which the iPhone is synced. Using a free application available from the web, Phone Scoop was able to verify that the location files exist on a laptop, which are compiled by the free application and displayed on a map. The accuracy of the data is good, suggesting that the data points are legitimate. Apple has not disclosed this behavior in the past, meaning user's whereabouts have been tracked without their direct knowledge or consent. The files stored are invisible on PCs, and can't be found without the use of the free web app. It is unknown what happens to this data, or if it is sent back to Apple.

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Comments

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name

Apr 21, 2011, 11:28 PM

good

this will help law enforcement keep america criminal free!

pickles

where did you come from, and what are you talking about?! this won't benefit law enforcement in any way, at all.

...

cstone

Apr 20, 2011, 5:19 PM

Now the question is....

....which apps have been exploiting this the whole time? Well that and where is this data supposed to be going to, and for what purpose?

The isheep herder jokes are funny, but this could be very serious. Aside from just apps that could be stealing this data, there could be viruses that are stealing this data from computers (be that windows or mac.) I have a feeling that this is going to effect Apple more than we know. What use could Apple really have for collecting this type of data that would make it worth it to risk this data being stolen and their reputation being harmed? So much for Apple's security...

kvlt

But yeah, this could have huge ramifications for Apple.

...

Admiral_Ackbar

Apr 20, 2011, 4:04 PM

Hmmm... I'm thinking...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _,,,--~~~~~~~~--,_
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,-' : : : :::: :::: :: : : : : :Ã‚Âº '-, ITS A TRAP!
. . . . . . . . . . . . .,-' :: : : :::: :::: :::: :::: : : : '-,
. . . . . . . . . . . ,-' :: ::: :: : : :: :::: :::: :: : : : : :0 '-,
. . . . . . . . . .,-' : :: :: :: :: :: : : : : : , : : :Ã‚Âº :::: :::: ::';
. . . . . . . . .,-' / / : :: :: :: :: : : :::: :::-, ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;
. . . . . . . . /,-',' :: : : : : : : : : :: :: :: : '-, ;; ;; ;; ;; ;; ;;|
. . . . . . . /,',-' :: :: :: :: :: :: :: : ::_,-~~,_'-, ;; ;; ;; ;; |
. . . . . _/ :,' :/ :: :: :: : : :: :: _,-'/ : ,-';'-'''''~-, ;; ;; ;;,'
. . . ,-' / : : : : : : ,-''' : : :,--'' :|| /,-'-'--'''__,''' ;; ;,-'/
. . . :/,, : : : _,-' --,,_ : :...
(continues)

kvlt

to post this. 🤣

...

Vipermad

Apr 21, 2011, 8:08 AM

Who else looked at their data?

I looked at mine...thinking the map would zoom in and really detail my travels.

I was, to say the least, extremely let down...though I guess that is good.

Not speaking to the right or wrong issue...just the data...it was VERY BROAD and really, couldn't be used to accurately pin-point my location.

Granted, that is just my 2 cents, based on the rendition provided by the free software. It is very possible that there are MORE details stored...but my initial fears of someone being able to use the data to say where I was at a given time on a given day...were somewhat eased.

Just wondering about thoughts from others...maybe I missed something!! LOL

zataralee