Apple update fixes iPhone tracking bugs

[onehandle]

Source: AFP

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – Apple on Wednesday released updated software for iPhones to fix "bugs" that resulted in location data being unencrypted and stored for up to a year.

A note included with the update said that the cache of saved data on devices was reduced and that location information would no longer be backed up at iTunes on people's computers.

Turning off the location services feature on an Apple gadget will cause location data to be deleted, the update promised.

The changes came in an iOS 4.3.3 software update for iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110504/tc_afp/usitcompanytelecomprivacyinternetapple_20110504220239

[hlthe2b]

1. Darn updates take forever to download... I hope this does fix it.

[DissedByBush]

2. There's really nothing to fix - it's not tracking you

It's a database of anonymously submitted locations of WiFi spots and cell towers.

When you go to a new location your iPhone will download locations of the WiFi spots and cell towers all around you for a hundred miles so the phone has a heads-up on providing YOU your location, not Apple.

The only thing this fixes is a problem of public perception.

Senator Franken should have learned what was going on before going off on Apple. Made him look stupid.

[hlthe2b]

3. I don't want the file logging on my iphone, computer nor elsewhere...

as a matter of principle...I'm not alone in this. If I were paranoid about it, I'd never use any of the GPS-based apps (nor GPS in my car, for that matter)... I'm not.

[DissedByBush]

4. It's not logging you in an identifiable manner

It anonymously sends the location of WiFi hotspots and cell towers near you to a big central database.

Then your phone downloads a portion of that database crowdsourced from millions of users like you.

This is why people report the database showing places they've never even been near.

[onehandle]

6. Apple may be working on 'over the air updates' for iOS 5.

That would be nice.

[sendero]

5. "bugs".

..... fucking liars. It was not a bug, it was a feature.

[apnu]

7. Bingo! We have a winnner! (nt)

[Champion Jack]

8. smartphones meh...

2 tin cans and some string is all I need. Derned new fangled contraptions