Apple has denied that iPhones and 3G iPads have been recording users’ location secretly. The organisation maintains that users had never been tracked and that it had no intention to do so in future. The statement comes following claims by some security researchers that a hidden file on the iPhone and iPad kept a record of users’ movements and locations.
In its official reaction since the claims were made over a week ago, Apple says that “The iPhone is not logging your location. Rather, it’s maintaining a database of Wi-Fi hotspots and cell towers around your current location, some of which may be located more than one hundred miles away from your iPhone, to help your iPhone rapidly and accurately calculate its location when requested.”
Security experts however advice current owners of Apple devices to further protect themselves by selecting the option to encrypt backups in their iTunes settings.
Talking Point
Do you accept Apple’s explanation?
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Ava
April 29, 2011 at 7:21 pm
I would think that it was almost customary that they were tracked, considering that towers can track where you are, because they feed service that way. In this digital age, it’s not surprising that it’s so easy to find us.
Nick
April 29, 2011 at 11:47 pm
I wouldnt exactly care if they were tracking me considering how easy it is now.
But i dont believe that they have no intention of it. Seeing as how important information is in this age – i’m sure they’ll find a reason / excuse for tracking us soon enough.
Henway
April 30, 2011 at 1:56 am
I think there are many things Apple aren’t telling us. Just a few months ago someone broke into the internal iPad system and stole a bunch of email addresses due to a security flaw. This might be a similar case.
Dorthe
April 30, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Okay, this isn’t really surprising given the technology now and they may be doing it indirectly.
Victoria
April 30, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I think this is really scary. God knows what other intrusions in our privacy these devices include, that we don’t even know about. Big brother is watching you!
Jane Cooper
May 4, 2011 at 10:58 am
I think they still lie but it sounds better when they say that they don’t track users…
Paul
May 5, 2011 at 8:50 pm
I dont think people realise how much information companys get on their customers. This is surely nothing that bad?
Josh
May 19, 2011 at 4:46 pm
It’s normal that they can track us nowadays because through locator they can easily track us. But we just hope that it won’t harm us they wont get into our private lives.
Rob
July 19, 2011 at 11:38 pm
This, Facebook and now the News of the World scandal… I see a very bleak future where privacy is no longer an option.