Don't attack people!
Don't respond to the Anti-Apple Thread Trolls!
PLEASE IGNORE THEM!!!
Is Apple Tracking you? Ping!
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Posted on 04/20/2011 8:52:34 AM PDT by rivercat
Your iPhone is keeping a record of everywhere you've been since June. This data is stored on your phone (or iPad) and computer, easily available to anyone who gets their hands on it. Why? Apple won't say. We're creeped out.
The enormous privacy startle, apparently enabled by this summer's iOS 4 release, was discovered by two security researchers, one of whom claims he was an Apple employee for five years. They're equally puzzled and disturbed by the location collection: "By passively logging your location without your permission, Apple have made it possible for anyone from a jealous spouse to a private investigator to get a detailed picture of your movements," they explain. All it would take to crack the information out of your iOS device is an easy jailbreak. On your computer, the information can be opened as easily as JPEG.
The data itself is jarringly accurate. Even though it appears to rely on tower triangulation rather than GPS pinpointing (meaning you're not safe with location services switched off), the map I was able to generate with mapping software the security duo released visualizes my life since the day I bought my iPhone 4 in July. Everywhere I've been. Bus trips home. Train trips to visit family. Vacations. Places I'd forgotten I'd even gone. Zoom in on that giant blotch over New York, and you can see my travels, block by block. My entire personal and professional life—documented by a phone I didn't know was also a tracking device. It's all accessible—where I've been, and when. I don't want this information bouncing around in my pocket with me. Do you?
Sorry, but even if you turn off GPS, the ‘localization’ capability of the network (think radio signal triangulation matched to small timing differences) which is actually essential to the cel network’s ability to keep you connected,
CAN track you down to a pretty small area.
Read about LBS / location based services.
Also look up:
air-watch, Good, MobileIron and Sybase
These are mobile device management applications that can make use of the NATIVE capabilities of the networks and the smart phones themselves.
And no, they DON’T work if your phone or smart IS powered off.
You are welcome to not want one, but keep in mind that this is not unique to the iPhone.
ALL 3G/ 4G devices CAN *REVEAL* their location, but please understand that ALL celphones and smart phones on digital networks ARE located by the networks to pretty discrete distances. The networks have some pretty smart stuff to be able to connect you, move with you, bill you, etc. Intrinsic to this cel network capability set is the ability to identify WHERE you are.
You may not realize it, but the same is true for your IP address of the computer you are reading this post on.
The information is not the issue — it’s the abuse of it.
"If you've done nothing wrong you have nothing to hide", is the refrain of tyrants and the creed of slaves.
And it doesn't matter if you've done nothing wrong. If a corrupt governemnt wants your money, or your property, or your daughter they'll just make something up and use the police state you allowed them to build to do what they please.
Normally your location data is stored on the provider’s servers. The service provider needs to know where you are so they can connect you to the nearest cell tower. I hear it checks your location and makes a log record every 7 seconds.
Apple is just saving money by having the users keep the log.
No problem Apple is the liberal dream company, owned and controlled by liberals.
###
There’s no chance a company like Apple or GE would ever use their favored political connections to provide potentially embarassing information to creeps like Obama to humble his political enemies, right? Good, I didn’t think so. / Sarc
>>>>The information is not the issue — it’s the abuse of it.
Exactly. A hammer, in the hands of a skilled tradesman, can build fine furniture, homes, etc. or in the hands of an artisan can make art - but in the hands of someone with ill will, a hammer can bash in your neighbor’s skull. It’s not the tool - it’s how you use it.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
ANY cell phone can be tracked. Whether the data is stored at the cell phone company or on the device is pretty much immaterial.
I haven’t even been anywhere. Perhaps I should go somewhere. Oh, wait, I don’t have an Iphone...
Gosh, it all sounds so friendly. Breadcrumbs and clouds and handshakes! :)
I alerted him to what I'd found and that he should turn off the GPS. There are instructions somewhere how to do it, but I don't know if it disables what is stored in the phone's memory and if such stored information can be transferred to your computer.
The purpose might be benign, in part. You hear of people being lost and can make a call phone call with batteries going low. It takes time to track there location from a call, assuming there is a tower close enough to pick up the signal, and maybe the GPS coordinates make it easier. But like any good thing, bad things can often result from it.
People have been victimized by criminals taking advantage of the info in photos and other information I just posted on places like Facebook and Craig's list.
I usually save in a manner that will preserve my exif data, but if I had an iPhone, I would either turn it off or save it in a manner that strips off the exif. I think some photo hosting sites strip it off anyway like maybe Flickr.
FYI all phones and computers, etc.. do this. It’s not just Apple.
Nor would Microsoft... owned by one of the most liberal in the tech industry...
I see you bought the Highway Smash app and the Laundry Cycle App.
That particular feature (GPS info for each photo) can be turned on and off, and isn’t as convoluted as the issue that started this thread. I can actually see a legitimate use for GPS locations for photos - especially for keeping up with either legal documentation, or for simply keeping up with pictures you have taken. But if you don’t want that data in other people’s hands, then removing it before sending is the best option.
I can’t get it to do anything... just loads up a world map and says “Loading” with a little spinning black circle... Been sitting on my screen for the last 30 minutes.
That’s all that program ever did for me too - so I gave it up.
Some people just weren't aware of that feature being on the newer ones, it's probably not that difficult to turn on and off, but too many don't know how to retain it in your photo and strip it off before sending (probably have to run it through a photo editor). He can grab shots in malls and stores where I couldn't get away with my larger camera.
It takes some doing to keep up with it all.
I had a delayed insurance claim for tree damage because I didn't consider all the items that had been destroyed or damaged, my $500 deductible, was too preoccuped with a separate legal situation and getting a huge tree taken down. Luckily I took photos, and the ins adjustor wanted to see them. I could have showed him the exif (keep them in dated folders as well), but he was satisfied. Ended up with a nice settlement after all and wouldn't have gotten that if I hadn't taken the photos. Plus my daughter noticed that the kitchen was damaged inside from the impact but not the roof months after the fact.
It does not matter if you are not doing anything wrong.
For years I have said that I can protect myself from the truth; it’s the lies I worry about. This technology can pose insurmountable problems for good people.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.