Apple iPhones and 3G iPads are secretly recording users' movements

[Case Sensitive]

Apple iPhones and 3G iPads are secretly recording and storing details of all their owners' movements, researchers claim.

Location data is kept in a hidden, unencrypted file according to security experts Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden.

With the right software, it can be used to map exactly where a person has been.

Apple has yet to comment on the revelation, however there in no suggestion that it has been uploading or using the information.

The findings, first reported by the Guardian newspaper, will come as a surprise to most iPhone users, as their devices do not give any visual indication that such data is being recorded.

However, although the practice is not explicitly flagged-up, it appears to be covered in the company's terms of use.

"We may collect information such as occupation, language, zip code, area code, unique device identifier, location, and the time zone where an Apple product is used so that we can better understand customer behaviour and improve our products, services, and advertising"


Writing on the technology website O'Reilly Radar, Mr Allan and Mr Warden said they did not know why iPhones and iPads were collecting location information but it was "clearly intentional".

The men claim that the facility to record users' positions was added with the iOS4 software update, released in June 2010.

The data is also transferred to the owner's computer and stored in a file there each time the two devices are connected to carry-out a backup or synchronisation.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at security firm Sophos, told BBC News that it was unlikely Apple planned to use the information for commercial purposes.

"I think there are some legitimate privacy concerns and people will probably look for a way of obscuring that data," he said.

"But it is an object lesson about reading the terms and conditions," he added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13145562



you're being watched...

also Im thinking trojan->upload file->ultimate stalking tool

[BungHole]

It's to help future designs to be better suited for the demographics that use the device the most. For instance, if a majority of the people who use the iPhone are terrorists, they can make apps for remote detonation of explosives. It's simple convenience to the consumer, that's all.

[Flex Rigid]

This comes as no surprise to me.

[Zok Jr.]

what if i have an iphone with an ipad 3g data plan using someones ipad imei will they still track me

[Shrike]

They've been doing this for years on mobile phones.

[White Jesus]

Whats to stop governments forcing apple to hand over such info now?

[Zok Jr.]

Nigger nigger nigger nigggger igger nigger

[BungHole]

Originally Posted by White Jesus

Whats to stop governments forcing apple to hand over such info now?

In the U.S., Fourth Amendment. But the PATRIOT Act sort of negates that.

[Om Namah Shivaya]

Originally Posted by BungHole

In the U.S., Fourth Amendment. But the PATRIOT Act sort of negates that.

if you're selling acid, aka, a terrorist, then you could be at risk of meeting the patriot act.

[Zok Jr.]

FUCKiN TERRORIZERZ

[Reefer]

All mines going to see is me drive out to a random spot in the countryside, park up for a couple of hours (maybe a plume of smoke above the car) and then drive home.

I'm not worried.

[Rocko]

Originally Posted by White Jesus

Whats to stop governments forcing apple to hand over such info now?

More importantly, what's to stop Apple from making bank by selling all that data to other companies? Data mining and reselling is a HUGE business.

[Nightshade]

I'm getting my iPad 2 3G on Monday. When I read about this on DSL reports I found it intriguing.

I think I'll download the app that tracks it and post it here. Anyone wanna see my uneventful boring route I take to go to university?

[Dandamano]

*takes hammer to iPhone"

[NamelessNom4d]

One more reason not to get an iPhone.

[reggie_love]

I've long suspected this to be the case with all GPS enabled devices. I can't believe people are surprised.

[CoolStoryScrote]

It has been discovered that for the last year iPhones have been keeping a detailed log of the location of their users in a file easily accessible on the phone or desktop if you know what you are doing.

This of course is a major invasion of privacy, even if users happened to have clicked through and agreed to it by accident. The information makes iPhone users vulnerable to being spied on by suspicions partners, bosses and even law enforcement, and could even be subpoenaed for your next speeding ticket.

Gizmodo has asked the other major smartphone OS companies what their practice was. Like Windows Phone 7 Google has an opt-in system for location data collection, but the company refused to answer on the record whether this "anonymous" location data is logged persistently. While no file was found on the Android phones, Google of course would be pretty happy to store the reams of data on their servers and sell it to advertisers for the highest bid.

Asking Microsoft the same question about Windows Phone 7, the company confirmed the only locational data stored on your Windows Phone 7 device is your last known location, for use with the Find My Phone feature.

Another reason WP7 > iPhone

http://wmpoweruser.com/unlike-apple-...ack-wp7-users/

[M. Samuel Chevalier]

From what I understand, *they say* its only recording your general area-- recording where you pick your signal up from. Its not necessarily where you are. *They say* it will help them to provide better service/connectivity/stronger signal.

Well, we'll just see about that

[Mutant Funk Drink]

That's what you get for buying iProducts from Steve Jobs.

Note to BI: Don't commit any crimes if you have an iProduct.

[zuperxtreme]

Yup. Dup: http://www.zoklet.net/bbs/showthread.php?t=165119

[Talk Show Host]

I find this Topic Serious Funny...Whats all the Hoopa la about your Iphone or Google Android being Tracked & Privacy Being Compromised...
WAKE UP...When Home Land Security Is Snooping on your Drivers License In your Wallet or Purse.
Check out the New Federalized US Passports, REAL ID Drivers Licenses...
President Bush Put REAL ID Signed REAL ID Using His Executive Powers In The War Fund Act, After 9-11.
The Technology Embedded On License "RFID" (Radio Frequency Identification)
Broadcast A Signal from 3 feet to 20 Feet Away, Depending On The Power Of the Battery Operated Remote Electronic Scanner (Hackers Use An Electronic Pick Pocket)
The Problem Is With Some States That Are In Compliance, Are Putting To Much Private Info...
First & Last Name, DOB, SS# Banking Info, Medical Records...Oh You Say It Is Encrypted With The Miltary Encrpytion...Hackers Laugh & Applaud Homeland Security's Un Secure Data...
Most Professional Hackers Simply Copy The Info On The US PASS Ports Or National ID Drivers Licenses To A Fake License onto the Strip Of Another RFID Chip On The License.
Plus Our Great Government Trying to Convince You Your Private Info Is Safe...When They Have Hired a Company To Store Your Info onto Their Data Base (US Government Can Not Store Your Private Info0 4th Amendment) But They Can Hire A Company To Do So.
This is Global Data Mining By Homeland Security, To Keep Records Of Every Thing You DO, Purchase, Travel, Seek Medical...
If You Do Not Comply By 2017 or later...You will not be allowed to Fly, Travel By Bus, Travel Cruise, qualify for OBama Health Plan, Cash Government Checks FED Disability-Social Security, ATMS, No Cash Redraws Seek Gainful Employment(E-Verfy is now being Put On The Ballet, For Company's To Show Proof Your Carry The REAL ID Before Your Hired, Proving You"re A US Citizen).
So Far 27 States Have Fought & Develop State Statues Against Requiring Their Citizens In Carrying This Dangerous Technology.
But if Your A Florida Citizen...all attempts to Repeal REAL ID Has Fallen on Deaf Ears, Even though Florida Congress Knows, Of the Privacy Issues.

Think this is Bull Shit,...Check Out Real ID (GOOGLE IT) Or Check Out The Best Kept Secret @ http://www.liberty2010.org/realid/

[Om Namah Shivaya]

[Talk Show Host]

Digg...Your Close to the truth...Our Government is Slowly But surely taking our freedom apart piece by piece...dismantling the constitution of the United State Of America...
They tried in the early sixty's to implant a chip in humans...it fell through as a violation of Americans 4th Amendment rights...Now they have a tool to data mine your personal info through Smart Phones and the new federalized Real ID drivers licenses...the RFID Chip on the US Pass Ports and Drivers Licenses broadcast private info...Law Enforcement In California use a remote hand held device to read the RFID Info with out seeing your drivers license, but to confirm looking at the photo...
We are going to socialism and one world Government, With everyone's personal data on a global date base...and that is not all..this RFID Chip on ID Cards, US Pass Ports, Drivers License can be shut off By law Enforcement, Home Land Security or A Criminal hacker playing a sick game on you...
read the truth about these new drivers license...stand up for your civil rights (4th & 10th Amendment) Tell Big Brother Hell no...read at Secret @ http://www.liberty2010.org/realid/

[Smokey]

In soviet eh.. the USA, tv watch u!!!

[Talk Show Host]

QUOTE=Talk Show Host;2647410]Smokey...If you read about the new National Federal Drivers Licenses...AKA "Real ID"
(http://www.liberty2010.org/realid/) You are right on the button of what American's are faced with Nazism-Zionism, Communism.
This new ID or US Passports/Driver License will carry all of your private and personal information, embedded on a RFID Chip on the magnetic strip.
It can be read using an electronic USB pocket scanner from anywhere of about 3 feet to 20 feet away.
Most electronic devices have RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) signals to any RFID hand held device or scanner.
Most professional criminal hackers use this device to read what is on the new wireless credit cards (RFID) along with your new REAL ID Drivers License or US Passports.
Stealing private info off IDs and Passports.
Most Criminals do not spend time decrypting the encrypted RFID Data...they simply Copied it to another magnetic strip on a fake ID or Fake Passport.
Or they sell the info to a professional criminal encryption expert to decrypt the so called impossible highly tech encrypted data.
Remember what ever was written by man can be un written by man too...
This Technology is highly faulty...Our Government will say they do not store your private info...no they don't do to the 4th amendment, but they are not breaking any laws to hire a company like AXUM (Which will become a Global Data Base).
You have civil rights...Home Land Security and local state governments have violated your 10th and 4th amendment rights...DO SOMETHING about this...more voices heard this REAL ID Will be Repealed...27 US States got their repealed by creating statues and laws to protect their citizens from
forced REAL ID, plus stating it was a violation of the 10th amendment.
Real ID is not about protecting US citizens from terrorism. there is more to this story...
It's about Government intrusion buy using private company for data mining All US citizens private data, storing and snooping into US Citizens daily lives...storing it on a global data base.BTW.. AXUM was hacked and thousand of private data was stolen off their so called secure data base.
Home Land Security, wants to know when you travel, purchase anything, seek medical attention-8 years from now if all goes to plan...you will not be able to purchase food, gas, travel by plane, boat or bus...without being a part of their plan to control the masses using REAL ID.

Sean O (MCSE)
Talk Show Host
SOS Computer Talk Show[/quote]

[Talk Show Host]

QUOTE=Talk Show Host;2647410]Smokey...If you read about the new National Federal Drivers Licenses...AKA "Real ID"
(http://www.liberty2010.org/realid/) You are right on the button of what American's are faced with Nazism-Zionism, Communism.
This new ID or US Passports/Driver License will carry all of your private and personal information, embedded on a RFID Chip on the magnetic strip.
It can be read using an electronic USB pocket scanner from anywhere of about 3 feet to 20 feet away.
Most electronic devices have RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) signals to any RFID hand held device or scanner.
Most professional criminal hackers use this device to read what is on the new wireless credit cards (RFID) along with your new REAL ID Drivers License or US Passports.
Stealing private info off IDs and Passports.
Most Criminals do not spend time decrypting the encrypted RFID Data...they simply Copied it to another magnetic strip on a fake ID or Fake Passport.
Or they sell the info to a professional criminal encryption expert to decrypt the so called impossible highly tech encrypted data.
Remember what ever was written by man can be un written by man too...
This Technology is highly faulty...Our Government will say they do not store your private info...no they don't do to the 4th amendment, but they are not breaking any laws to hire a company like AXUM (Which will become a Global Data Base).
You have civil rights...Home Land Security and local state governments have violated your 10th and 4th amendment rights...DO SOMETHING about this...more voices heard this REAL ID Will be Repealed...27 US States got their repealed by creating statues and laws to protect their citizens from
forced REAL ID, plus stating it was a violation of the 10th amendment.
Real ID is not about protecting US citizens from terrorism. there is more to this story...
It's about Government intrusion buy using private company for data mining All US citizens private data, storing and snooping into US Citizens daily lives...storing it on a global data base.BTW.. AXUM was hacked and thousand of private data was stolen off their so called secure data base.
Home Land Security, wants to know when you travel, purchase anything, seek medical attention-8 years from now if all goes to plan...you will not be able to purchase food, gas, travel by plane, boat or bus...without being a part of their plan to control the masses using REAL ID.

Sean O (MCSE)
Talk Show Host
SOS Computer Talk Show[/quote]