Location Data

Apple, Google testifying before US Senate on location data and mobile privacy

By Georgia, Tuesday, May 10, 2011 a 12:22 pm

Apple and Google are testifying today before the US senate on the issues concerning the collection of location data and mobile privacy in general. Daring Fireball notes something of interest:

Apple is represented by Bud Tribble, a vice president of software engineering. Google is represented by Alan Davidson, a lobbyist.

Apple releases iOS 4.3.3 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iOS 4.2.8 for Verizon iPhone - location data fix

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 a 1:39 pm

Apple has just released iOS 4.3.3 for iPhone (AT&T/GSM), iPad, and iPod touch and iOS 4.2.8 for V. This point update, as expected, changes the iOS crowd-sourced location database cache. Apple says it:

Steve Jobs comments on location data

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 a 1:04 pm

Following up on Apple's location data Q&A, posted earlier today, Mobilizer spoke with CEO Steve Jobs and other members of the executive team.

“We haven’t been tracking anyone,” Jobs said in a telephone interview with Mobilized on Wednesday. “The files they found on these phones, as we explained, it turned out were basically files we have built through anonymous, crowdsourced information that we collect from the tens of millions of iPhones out there.”

As to why Apple seems to get singled out in media and investigations, Jobs said he'll be looking to see coverage of their competitors.

Apple posts Q&A on Location Data

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 a 9:04 am

Following the media circus/storm last week involving location data, how it's collected and where it's stored, Apple has decided to post an online Q&A to address the issues.

Why is Apple tracking the location of my iPhone?
Apple is not tracking the location of your iPhone. Apple has never done so and has no plans to ever do so.
Then why is everyone so concerned about this?
Providing mobile users with fast and accurate location information while preserving their security and privacy has raised some very complex technical issues which are hard to communicate in a soundbite. Users are confused, partly because the creators of this new technology (including Apple) have not provided enough education about these issues to date.

Apple PR