Apple collecting, sharing iPhone users' precise locations | Tech. Satellite image of a Target store in New York. Credit: daiji / flickr Apple Inc. is now collecting the "precise," "real-time geographic location" of its users' iPhones, iPads and computers. In an updated version of its privacy policy, the company added a paragraph noting that once users agree, Apple and unspecified "partners and licensees" may collect and store user location data.
When users attempt to download apps or media from the iTunes store, they are prompted to agree to the new terms and conditions. Until they agree, they cannot download anything through the store. The company says the data is anonymous and does not personally identify users. An increasing number of iPhone apps ask users for their location, which is then used by the application or even uploaded to the app's maker. Apple says in its privacy policy that it uses personal information to "improve our services, content, and advertising. " Apple did not immediately return a request for comment. Here's the passage in question: Apple headed for privacy row with iOS 4 update - iPod/iPhone - M. Apple may be about to get roped into the privacy policy debate that has dogged other technology companies like Facebook and Google over the past few months. On Monday, Apple quietly updated its privacy policy as part of the iOS 4 update to allow the company to collect and share your Apple device's location information, as first reported by The Los Angeles Times .
Apple says in its revised privacy policy that most location data is collected anonymously with the exception of services like Find My iPhone, which needs your personal information to work. Apple uses your location data to "provide and improve location-based products and services," according to the revised privacy policy. Some programs such as Google Maps offer services that use your computer's location information, but Apple's privacy change was made primarily for iOS devices including iPhones, iPad and iPods. Controlling your iPhone location data. If true, this leaked report may leave Apple & AT&T with a LOT of. Editor’s Note: The following is based on one (detailed though not necessarily factual) report that relies on one reportedly inside (yet anonymous) source at Apple. We felt that it is detailed enough to relay to our readers, and if true, raises very troubling questions that Apple and AT&T need to address to their customers.
AddictiveTips is reporting in detail that a trusted source inside of Apple Inc. has told them that Apple is not only checking for jailbroken iPhones in conjunction with AT&T through OTA (over-the-air) updates every 7-14 days – and then relocking them and putting users on a blacklist – but is also storing Facetime location data, and that the un-encrypted WiFi chats can be snooped on. Beyond all of this, the source claims that Apple/AT&T shipped some iPhone 4′s early in order to test the OTA updates. Here is a screenshot from the article of the OTA updates taken from a phone in Canada, where apparently some users are already receiving them: Update on 6/25/10. Kamervragen over locatie-opslag Apple. Nieuws - VVD-Kamerleden Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert en Ton Elias stellen Kamervragen over het verzamelen en delen van locatiegegevens van gebruikers door Apple.
De twee Tweede Kamerleden willen van Maria van der Hoeven, demissionair minister van Economische Zaken, weten of zij vindt dat Apple terecht stelt dat de verzamelde informatie niet is te herleiden tot individuen. Als de minister het niet eens is met Apple dan willen de politici weten welke maatregelen ze dan wil nemen. De Kamerleden verwijzen in de schriftelijke vragen naar het Webwereld-artikel over de kwestie. Ook in de Duitse politiek zijn er zorgen om de mogelijke privacyinbreuk door Apple. Voorwaarden aangepast Apple heeft vorige week het privacybeleid van iTunes aangepast zodat gebruikers toestemming geven om de precieze locatie van apparaten te registreren en te delen met bedrijven voor onder meer het gerichter tonen van advertenties.
Geen opt-out Herleidbaar. Kamervragen over gegevensopslag Apple. AMSTERDAM - Tweede Kamerleden Ton Elias en Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (beiden VVD) hebben kamervragen gesteld vanwege de opslag, het gebruik en het doorverkopen van locatiegegevens door Apple. Foto: AFP Dat blijkt uit een schriftelijke document (pdf) waarin de twee Maria van der Hoeven, demissionair minister van Economische Zaken, om uitleg vragen.
Uit nieuwe gebruikersvoorwaarden van Apples muziek- en softwaredienst iTunes bleek eerder deze week dat Apple toestemming heeft om de precieze locatie van Apple-apparatuur te registreren en te delen met bijvoorbeeld adverteerders. Volgens de voorwaarden mogen Apple en zijn partners exacte locatiegegevens verzamelen, gebruiken en uitwisselen, inclusief de real-time geografische locatie van een Apple-computer of -apparaat. Het bedrijf zegt dat te doen om locatiegebonden producten en diensten aan te bieden. Geanonimiseerd Critici zeggen dat het volstrekt onduidelijk is wat Apple met de informatie wil en aan wie die eventueel wordt doorgegeven.
Germany Insists Apple Divulge Location Information. Apple Pulls Camera+ From The App Store After Its Developers Reveal A Contraband Feature. The fun’s over, folks*. About a week and a half ago, iPhone developers TapTapTap pushed an updated version of their Camera+ photography app to the App Store, and all seemed well. Just yesterday, however, they revealed (via a message on Twitter that was pulled about 30 minutes after it went out) that this latest build had a hidden feature: by visiting the URL in Mobile Safari, one could make the volume buttons on the side of the iPhone instead act as a camera shutter button — something which Apple had already said was a no-no. Hidden features and tricks that circumvent Apple’s rulings don’t fly for very long — and sure enough: as of right around midnight this morning, Camera+ has been pulled from the App Store. We were able to get the App’s product page to come up once, but attempting to purchase it spit back the standard “The item you tried to buy is no longer available” error that shows whenever anyone’s wrists are being slapped.
157 Mobile App Stats You Should Know About. Apple rejecting apps that require user registration first? iOS app Read it Later‘s latest update was rejected by Apple’s App Store team for what is apparently a new (and confusing/troubling) reason: that, “Applications cannot require user registration prior to allowing access to app features and content”. In a blog post, Read it Later developer Nate Weiner said that his minor update to the app was rejected, and that, “The reason for the rejection was one I have not seen before and have not been able to find a single reported instance of after searching around on the web and within the developer forums.” Weiner posted the full email (below) on his blog and also forward it to us: “Hello Nathan,Thank you for submitting Read It Later Free & Read It Later to the App Store. We’ve reviewed your apps, but cannot post these versions to the App Store because they require customers to register with personal information without providing account-based features.
As Weiner correctly points out in his post, this email is confusing at best. Apple Removes WikiLeaks App From App Store. Looks like an unofficial iPhone and iPad app that let you view WikiLeaks site content and follow the WikiLeaks Twitter account on the go has been removed from the App app store earlier today. The app used to be available here (here’s the Google cache).
From the WikiLeaks App’s description: “The Wikileaks app gives instant access to the world’s most documented leakage of top secret memos and other confidential government documents.” Basically the paid app was selling WikiLeaks content (available for free) for $1.99. Its entry into the app store on December 17th was actually surprising, as Apple is usually quite strict and somewhat vague about its app approval standards. In the past couple of weeks corporate biggies Amazon, PayPal, Mastercard, Visa and Bank of America have all tried to disassociate themselves in one way or another from WikiLeaks. I’ve contacted both Apple and and the developer for more information and will update this post when they respond. Thanks: Appsfire.