Google Says It Collects Location Data on (Android) Phones for Location Services

[onehandle]

Source: New York Times

Google said Friday that it collected location data from Android phones, but that it did so anonymously and with user consent. The company said it gathered the data to provide services like maps and searches for shops or restaurants near a person’s location. The company said it also used the information to estimate traffic on various roads.

“Phones know where you are, and they need to for many of the services we offer,” said Mike Nelson, a Google spokesman.

Read more: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/22/google-says-it-collects-location-data-on-phones-for-location-services/

[dipsydoodle]

1. They do

and you have the ability to accept or reject that feature.

[RandomThoughts]

3. If it is not in secret.

That is a different subject. Although you would think that it could be turned off and on at user discrecion, or if people liked that function, for concepts of privacy, then there would be a market, and a product developed for that purpose.

If there is no market for that, or if systems use more of a monopoly decision on such a function, then there would not be a product with that as a selling point.

And anyone that says you should not worry if you have done nothing wrong, has no conceptual understanding on rights of citizens.

Why not random searches of peoples homes, if you have not done wrong why would you complain?

Why not strip searches at the choice of anyone with a badge, 'have you done something wrong?' why would it bother you?

It is the concept of people having the right to privacy, and being tracked is the same as 'having to have papers'


On a side note, it is true someone can opt out of such a thing by not owning a phone. Then again some group can plug a GPS tracker into port on a car for diagnostics, or in a car stereo, for tracking, as they did to my car years ago. When I had done nothing wrong.




And I am still due beer and travel money.

[FLPanhandle]

2. All this angst over iPhones & Androids is silly

Every single cell phone no matter how primitive has it's location tracked and stored in the data of cellular carriers.

There is no opt out with carrier data. Cell tower computers automatically track phones and switch towers based on your location or as you move/drive. They've done this since the first cell phones and the carriers keep/sell this information.

It's funny to see the angst of folks worked up about iPhones/Andriods thinking this is something new.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. What's silly is rolling over and playing dead on privacy.

One good consumer protection law is all it would take to stop the needless storing and repackaging of data.

[Trajan]

5. I am with the other respondent on this ...

Call us whatever names you wish - I would prefer that NO such data were maintained ... and it would be foolish to let someone cow you into submission by attempts to insult you ....

[FLPanhandle]

6. Not calling anyone names

Just wondering why the sudden angst when this has been going on since cell phones hit the market.

I am laughing at folks that think avoiding an iPhone or a Droid is avoiding tracking data.

Sure we need laws on this, but folks are focused on Apple and Google and ignoring bigger issue.