iPhone secretly keeps a record of everywhere you go

D:

So a group of researchers recently tooled around with iOS4, the latest version of the iPhone's operation system. And what should they discover? That the device tracks the exact co-ordinates of your every move, time stamps your locations, and saves that data to a hidden folder not accessible to the user without jailbreaking the phone and snooping around in its off-limits system files.

Even worse, every time you hook the phone up to your computer the files are copied over to a folder on your PC/Mac, also hidden from the user unless you crack Apple's iTunes software.

This data can be put into an application which gives a visual indication of your every move, along with the ability to zoom in to very precise locations (just like on Google maps/street view). None of this is in the user agreement for the device, nor iTunes, and at no point is the user given any indication that this is going on.

Researchers had this to say:

"Apple has made it possible for almost anybody – a jealous spouse, a private detective – with access to your phone or computer to get detailed information about where you've been," said Pete Warden, one of the researchers.

"We haven't come across any instances of other phone manufacturers doing this."

LINK

My reaction; what the hell Apple? :?

That is unsettling. I'm getting kind of tired of every thing we use these days stealing/storing/transmitting our personal info. I'm not a paranoid type of person, but it is even starting to bother me.

Yeah, I have yet to spend a penny on Apple's products or services, (including iTunes) and it seems that they are doing their damned finest to ensure that doesn't change.

Anyway, that's just f***ing creepy.

good thing I dont have a iphone.

Saw it coming.

Jobs loves to job ya.

Damn Apple, stop being a stalker.

you know I want to go over to the dark side and actually like Apple as a company, but every time I get close some new bit comes out that screws up any progress they made in my mind.

Anyways without 3g/4g they can't do this with an itouch right?

I hate to say it, but I think it is the price you pay for technology. If you don't like it, give up those electronics you love. I have a basic cell phone and that's all.

Anyways without 3g/4g they can't do this with an itouch right?

Serraph105

I hate to say it, but I think it is the price you pay for technology. If you don't like it, give up those electronics you love. I have a basic cell phone and that's all.

killzonexbox

I could of sworn the extra money people forked over was the price they payed. But hey, what do i know.

I hate to say it, but I think it is the price you pay for technology. If you don't like it, give up those electronics you love. I have a basic cell phone and that's all.

killzonexbox

BTW you can track someone with a basic phone too due to the way the cell phone network is structured.

I'm getting more and more proud of my decision to stop buying Apple products almost every day now.

I have been assuming most phones have been doing this for a while now. Im sure apple is not the only company to do this, they just got caught.Nick3306

Exactly. As my daddy always told me, I don't care if you break my rules, just don't let me catch you. Or I assumed that is what he infered by saying don't do that.

you know I want to go over to the dark side and actually like Apple as a company, but every time I get close some new bit comes out that screws up any progress they made in my mind.

Anyways without 3g/4g they can't do this with an itouch right?

Serraph105

I personally despise Apple and their products so they doesn't affect me, I don't see what the big deal is, though it is unnessessary.

Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?MushroomWig

I think most people are pissed that they were never told.

It is in the user agreement.

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.Apple

Either way, I'm sure it's something other cellphones do, they just have it hidden better.

Also, encrypting an iPhone backup will prevent people from viewing it if you're paranoid.

Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?MushroomWig

Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?

MushroomWig

This is the same thing as someone stalking you...and everyone in your neighborhood. It's an invasion of privacy. No private company should have this kind of information. Why don't you see how this is wrong?!

You can turn this off in settings. It's no "secret".

I hate to sound like a broken record...buuuut, if you've got nothing to hide then there should be no problem.MushroomWig

Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?MushroomWig

The point is it violates peoples privacy. What if every web cam was secretly recording all the time, wouldn't you be disturbed by that? I guess since you have "nothing to hide" it's ok that a company is keeping tabs on you without your knowledge right? It's the principle of the matter that I find unnerving, not so much what they actually find out about me.You ever read 1984? If not, you should.

Its skynet! D:

You can turn this off in settings.

ROFLCOPTER603

Actually, you can't.

The point is it violates peoples privacy. What if every web cam was secretly recording all the time, wouldn't you be disturbed by that? I guess since you have "nothing to hide" it's ok that a company is keeping tabs on you without your knowledge right? It's the principle of the matter that I find unnerving, not so much what they actually find out about me.

redstorm72

[QUOTE="ROFLCOPTER603"]

You can turn this off in settings.

Necrifer

Actually, you can't.

Yes you can. You can turn off "Location Services" under "General Settings". You can also go to google maps (comes with Iphone) and turn off using your location. There's another more general setting but I forgot where it is.

[QUOTE="MushroomWig"]

Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?

Necrifer

This is the same thing as someone stalking you...and everyone in your neighborhood. It's an invasion of privacy. No private company should have this kind of information. Why don't you see how this is wrong?!

Yes you can. You can turn off "Location Services" under "General Settings". You can also go to google maps (comes with Iphone) and turn off using your location. There's another more general setting but I forgot where it is.

ROFLCOPTER603

That's for GPS, this tracks you through triangulating your position through cell-phone towers.

[QUOTE="ROFLCOPTER603"]

Yes you can. You can turn off "Location Services" under "General Settings". You can also go to google maps (comes with Iphone) and turn off using your location. There's another more general setting but I forgot where it is.

PBSnipes

That's for GPS, this tracks you through triangulating your position through cell-phone towers.

[QUOTE="MushroomWig"]Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?redstorm72

The point is it violates peoples privacy. What if every web cam was secretly recording all the time, wouldn't you be disturbed by that? I guess since you have "nothing to hide" it's ok that a company is keeping tabs on you without your knowledge right? It's the principle of the matter that I find unnerving, not so much what they actually find out about me.You ever read 1984? If not, you should.

[QUOTE="Necrifer"]

[QUOTE="MushroomWig"]

Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?

MushroomWig

This is the same thing as someone stalking you...and everyone in your neighborhood. It's an invasion of privacy. No private company should have this kind of information. Why don't you see how this is wrong?!

¡Viva la Revolución!

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"]

[QUOTE="ROFLCOPTER603"]

Yes you can. You can turn off "Location Services" under "General Settings". You can also go to google maps (comes with Iphone) and turn off using your location. There's another more general setting but I forgot where it is.

wayne_kar

That's for GPS, this tracks you through triangulating your position through cell-phone towers.

Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?MushroomWig

Cell phone service providers collect the same information for law enforcement purposes, and it can only be accessed through a court order. It's great that you and others don't have anything to hide, but there are plenty of people out there with jealous spouses, stalkers, and general creeps they have to deal with, and I'm sure they don't want this type of information stored in such an unsecured manner.

[QUOTE="ROFLCOPTER603"]

Yes you can. You can turn off "Location Services" under "General Settings". You can also go to google maps (comes with Iphone) and turn off using your location. There's another more general setting but I forgot where it is.

PBSnipes

That's for GPS, this tracks you through triangulating your position through cell-phone towers.

Yes, it's for GPS. That's how they're tracking you. If this isn't enough for you, you can always just turn off your phone.

[QUOTE="Necrifer"]

[QUOTE="MushroomWig"]

Seriously guys, what's the problem exactly? So these phones might know if you've been to work, or to your girlfriends/boyfriends house...so what? What's the big secret you have?

MushroomWig

This is the same thing as someone stalking you...and everyone in your neighborhood. It's an invasion of privacy. No private company should have this kind of information. Why don't you see how this is wrong?!

This is one of the most dangerous attitudes I've ever seen. You can't protect your freedoms and rights if you simply role over everytime someone wants to take them away from you. Sure it is easier to just accept it, but nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight.