Am I missing something on the iphone issue?

[randr]

Every cell phone I have owned has had a tracking option that I can turn off, which I do. I understand the app on the iphone is also able to be turned off.
What is the problem?

[Drale]

1. I think the Iphone issue was an issue with the latest OS update

it tracked you and your data without tell you it was doing it and without the ability to turn it off.

[MichiganVote]

2. People were not informed. That is the problem.

[FreeState]

15. So you didn't read the agreement you signed off on when you set up your phone?

Section 4b: http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iphone.pdf

They disclosed it, you failed to read it.

[MichiganVote]

17. OR..another possibility---I don't own one of these phones sweetness.

[FreeState]

19. So people were informed, just not you because you don't own one?

I'm a guy by the way, don't really like being called sweetness thanks.

[hlthe2b]

21. This type of tracking was not covered in that agreement.

You opt in to GPS services. This is not GPS tracking and no, Apple did not notify owners of this hidden file. I am an Iphone4 owner, love it, and still feel fairly confident that this will be addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned re: privacy. I am not raging over the whole matter. But, it does need to be addressed.
*******************

From the original Gizmodo article:
It turns out that all our iPhones are 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. Updated: 1:33 EST

And now, we're wondering whether the same goes for our other smartphones. The opt-in wording of phone location service agreements is pretty nebulous (as agreements tend to be). When starting up a fresh Android, you're prompted to agree to the following: "Allow Google's location service to collect anonymous data. Collection will occur even when no applications are running." We asked Google what exactly this meant, and they refused to answer on the record whether this "anonymous" location data is logged persistently, a la iPhone (The UK security duos says they haven't uncovered an file so far). But, importantly, unlike the iPhone, it appears to be totally opt-in for users. Microsoft told us the only locational data stored on your Windows Phone 7 device is your last known location, for use with the Find My Phone feature. We've also reached out to Apple and BlackBerry-maker RIM for similar clarifications on data collection, but haven't gotten a response yet.

We know that AT&T and other cellphone providers can always store this data, for any cellphone. And law enforcement can get to it when they need to. But I don't want this information bouncing around on my computer and in pocket, too, for no good reason, with no way to opt out. That's just not right.

http://m.gizmodo.com/5793925/your-iphone-is-secretly-tracking-everywhere-youve-been

The 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.

[Bake]

3. I just updated my iPhone 4 OS. Did I fix the problem or upgrade TO the problem?

Bake

[hlthe2b]

6. It has been ongoing for a year, apparently with all versions of 4.x

[Bake]

7. Thanks.

I'll watch for future upgrades that hopefully will fix this. And annoy the hell out of Apple in the meantime.

Bake

[dipsydoodle]

4. On the phones you mention

you could switch the tracking off but leave the 'phone on. The issue here is that the iphone gismo can't be turned off leaving only the option of switching the 'phone off.

[hlthe2b]

8. I still believe that this and all cell phone tracking can be TEMPORARILY turned off

by turning off the phone and REMOVING THE BATTERY. So, either leave the cell at home or take out its battery if you are doing something/going somewhere you "shouldn't". ;) Of course to do so with a smartphone sort of defeats the purpose in having one to begin with...


Agent Mike, you know I live too boring a life to know this first hand and simply read this somewhere....;)

[hlthe2b]

5. This is a file that logs and can not be turned off unlike the apps

It is not GPS based. Yes, there are apps that you can turn the GPS function on and off. To do so simply deprives these particular companies from having that information available (if so inclined) to have a marketing advantage from that information. But, this is NOT GPS based so you can't just turn it off.

Yes, any cell phone can be tracked via the cell phone towers in range at any given time, but this is real time data that could be immediately downloaded from your iphone, ipad, or from your computer that syncs with it-- as long as the person has physical access. It is irritating because it is doing so without your permission and for those who don't know it exists, could leave their privacy open to others--including the private investigator. For those of us who don't frequent "embarrassing" places nor involved in criminal activity, it is more the principle of the matter at heart. GPS systems on cars can give much of the same information, after all, and law enforcement has many many ways of getting that info from any cell phone, computer, or car equipped with GPS navigation. Supposedly, though, they have to have a warrant and, unlike the snooping ex-spouse or PI, could not legally do so simply by taking a few minutes with your iphone.


On edit, I am annoyed by this but am fairly confident that the exposure will have some good. I am not really that concerned, now that I know it exists, but I will watch with interest for any solutions that will remove the files from iphone and synced computer.

That said, I remain very concerned about threats to privacy that aren't being discussed or that we have no way to identify when they are ongoing.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. See, for many the main fear is not cops or PIs

but stalkers, rapists, thieves and crooks of all kinds. If a person can take your phone and have a map of your life, that is dangerous. People lose phones, phones are stolen. Do the math.

[hlthe2b]

11. Set up the auto tracking and wiping function on the iphone...

I just did and can wipe the entire phone remotely within seconds of knowing it is gone or that I have misplaced it in an area over which I have no hope of rapid recovery.
********
Find My iPhone Now Available Free on iPad, iPhone 4, New iPod touch

Starting today, anyone with an iPad, iPhone 4, new iPod touch (4th generation) running iOS 4.2 can sign up for Find My iPhone for free right on their device.

Find My iPhone lets you easily locate a misplaced iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch on a map.* You can also have your device play a sound and display a message to help someone return it to you, or you can remotely lock its screen or wipe all of its data to protect your privacy. To locate a missing device, just use the free Find My iPhone app on any other iOS device, or use Find My iPhone at me.com from any computer web browser. To see Find My iPhone in action, check out this video.
http://www.apple.com/mobileme/news/2010/11/find-my-iphone-now-available-free-with-ipad-iphone-4-and-ipod-touch.html



No, this does not eliminate all possible risk scenarios, but until Apple addresses the problem, it should make you sleep a bit better.

[Zywiec]

10. Please explain how to turn it off? n/t

[hlthe2b]

12. You can't until Apple addresses the issue...

As I've explained upthread, you can turn off GPS functions, but this is a hidden logging function of location that is independent of GPS.

[FreeState]

16. According to Apple you just turn off location services and it won't collect the information

Section 4b: http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iphone.pdf

You can do this under settings.

[hlthe2b]

20. That is for GPS apps... this is different...

Gizmodo has done a good job tracking down the facts: (Go read the entire thing with updates, please, as I could only snip small bits)

iSpy Conspiracy: Your iPhone Is Secretly Tracking Everywhere You've Been, All The Time (Updated)
http://m.gizmodo.com/5793925/your-iphone-is-secretly-tracking-everywhere-youve-been

iSpy Conspiracy: Your iPhone Is Secretly Tracking Everywhere You've Been, All The Time
--snip--

It turns out that all our iPhones are 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. Updated: 1:33 EST

And now, we're wondering whether the same goes for our other smartphones. The opt-in wording of phone location service agreements is pretty nebulous (as agreements tend to be). --snip-- We've also reached out to Apple and BlackBerry-maker RIM for similar clarifications on data collection, but haven't gotten a response yet.

--snip--
The 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 using the mapping software that the security experts have made for download—Try it yourself.

The data itself is jarringly accurate (most of the time). And even though it appears to rely on tower triangulation rather than GPS pinpointing (meaning you're probably 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. --snip--

For now, there is no fix. The only way to remove it from your computer is to wipe your back up files from your computer.]/b] But then you have no back ups to restore your phone in case you lose it. And every time you sync your computer, though, it'll create a new file. And if you do lose your phone, all your tracking data goes with it, right into the hands of whoever found it. And if you upgrade your phone to the next iPhone, the location tracking history goes with it. For now, the best to keep your location data safe is to encrypt your backup files—but that still leaves the roaming device itself vulnerable.

--snip--



Update 1, 12:48 PM EST: Security expert Kevin Mitnick says he's "Quite shocked and disturbed" by the revelation, noting that the logged data could be of great interest to a variety of entities—prying spouses, private investigators, and, he reckons, the government. He speculates that the existence of the log itself "could have been at the request of the government," as such data "can't be used for advertisements. It seems to me more to be a governmental request." He added, "I like to know what my device is doing." And, that the phone's logging of data was in this case like "carrying around a bug and a tracker at the same time."

Update 2, 3:37 PM EST: Google has declined to comment on the record as to the exact nature of their locational data collection.

Update 3, 5:32 PM EST: Microsoft tells us the only locational data they're storing on your Windows Phone 7 device is your last known location—a single data point that's erased as soon as it stores a new one.

Update 4, 5:50 PM EST: IT security expert Jonathan James has poked around inside the iPhone location database file in question and discovered tables labeled "Harvest" and "HarvestCounts," although their use is still unknown.

Update 5, 1:35 EST: John Gruber's got a reasonable-sounding explanation for the covert tracking: maybe it's just a bug.

[Richard D]

13. The data is stored on your computer

A good hacker could conceivably gain access to it. Or anyone who has access to your computer while you might not be looking.
A virus could be written that would download the information. Would you want someone to know where your child goes regularly?
That's one problem with it.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

14. I gonna have them take mine up to the space station, leave it there for a few weeks

then bring it back. That should make them go hmmmmmm, failing that I will mail it to myself by way of Pakistan and other places far off just to make them lose the scent. Ooooooh, they know that I live in my house and drive my car on the highway, big frickin deal.

[WillyT]

18. Original Article Here:

Link: http://gizmodo.com/#!5793925/your-iphone-is-secretly-tracking-everywhere-youve-been

:hi: