iSpy Conspiracy: Your iPhone Is Secretly Tracking Everywhere You’ve Been, All The Tim

[Cisc0]

This is a map of everywhere I've been for nearly the last year. Everywhere. I didn't carry around a special tracking device. The FBI isn't sending goons in unmarked vans to track me. All I did was use an iPhone. And if you have an iPhone, you're being tracked right now, too, whether you like it or not.

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. 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. We've also reached out to Apple, BlackBerry-maker RIM, and Microsoft for similar clarifications, but haven't gotten a response yet.

Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide

[PersonaNonGrata]

I was reading about this and was disturbed by the idea but in reality, when would these data ever affect us? Will ever be used or accessed?

[Weasel]

It's not just apple, it's all smart phones. When you click okay to install an app that asks to send location information and all what did you think was going on? Apps like angry birds have been cited to send all kinds of personal info to their advertisers etc. which likely lead to your own specialized blend of targeted spam if I had to guess.

[Thunder22]

I turn all GPS services off unless I'm using an app that needs it.

[rayxi]

Turning GPS off doesn't help. Location services will use WiFi and cell tower triangulation when GPS isn't available. Turning those off pretty well makes a phone useless.

There are differences between how apps use location services and the how the iPhone tracks your location. You have to give the apps permission to use your location information. The iPhone does it without asking for your permission. The apps, except those that are specifically for tracking, most likely only use your current location. The iPhone is keeping a permanent record of all your locations.

What would worry me is I know why the apps are using my location information, whereas Apple's motivation could be anything. The fact that Apple has repeatedly taken these kinds of liberties with its consumers is one of the reasons I will never buy an Apple product.

[Nik]

You can turn off Wifi and clear out the data on the Celluar internet. I think that disables internet connection. However, when My iPhone shows me the places where I was when I took this or that picture because Wifi was available at that place, I guess what it means And it sucks btw.

[1stE53]

I know that all smartphones use this. When setting up Android you get asked to keep and submit location information to google as part of the last step. I don't trust Apple (use their computers) as far as I can throw my iMa...X5! With their popularity and not being able to remove the battery (always on), I just get a dirty feeling from them. With that said, I honestly don't think government cares what I am doing, if they do, we have way bigger things to worry about!!!!!! I'm not conceded enough to think I'm that important.

[Quicksilver]

I waited to see if this could be turned off. iPhone’s Location-Data Collection Can’t Be Turned Off | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

[rayxi]

Apple's response to address the situation seems reasonable.

Apple denies iPhones store user location - Yahoo! News

However, in true Apple form, their arrogance is blatantly apparent:

"Users are confused, partly because creators of this new technology (including Apple) have not provided enough education about these issues to date," Apple said in its statement.

Wow, so now it's the user's fault because they don't understand this hidden system file.

[Quicksilver]

Apple publishes Q&A on iPhone location data | Phones | iOS Central | Macworld