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Apple Users, Beware: iPhones/IPads Secretly Tracking Location

Started by boopme , Apr 20 2011 09:32 PM

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26 replies to this topic

#1 boopme

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Posted 20 April 2011 - 09:32 PM

The IPhone 4 and IPad 2 Are tracking and storing up to a years worth of data about you in a secret file. You can't turn it off.
It can be downloaded off the device for examining.

Security researchers have discovered that the latest operating system powering the iPhone and iPad keeps a log of everywhere you go, recording both the location and time you were there.

The feature has been around since June 2010, meaning some iPhones have nearly a year of location history recorded in a single file -- every step, trip to the park, family vacation and more. And that, said security experts Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden, who uncovered the file, poses serious problems.

News article

According to security researchers Pete Warden and Alasdair Allan, your iPhone or iPad is keeping a record of every step you take, storing this data and sharing it with the devices that sync with the iPhone or iPad. What's troubling is that this information is unencrypted and can be accessed and viewed by anyone.

News Article

My opinion.
I personally can't wait to hear from Apple. This is such a sneaky thing.

Edited by Grinler, 02 May 2011 - 11:31 AM.

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#2 killerx525

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Posted 20 April 2011 - 09:38 PM

I read that yesterday on EnGadget and thanks for warning everyone about this, luckily i'm still running the version 3.1.3

>Michael
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#3 computerxpds

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 07:18 AM

You think you will actually hear from apple? Apple will just push out an update to turn it off and destroy the file and then not say a word about it after that. Even more the updates release notes will say a security fix and won't mention what security fix it is for. Also I wonder what version they mean by latest version because an update (4.3.2) was released about 3 or 4 days ago. Just food for thought.

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#4 keyboardNinja

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 12:13 PM

iPhones and 3G iPads Track Your Location: Who Cares?

iSpy Conspiracy: Break Apple’s Secret Tracking with This App

You think you will actually hear from apple?

No. I'm sure they already knew about this, but I don't know if they'll change it based on complaints from users or not.

Edited by keyboardNinja, 21 April 2011 - 12:19 PM.

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#5 computerxpds

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 12:35 PM

They do have a good track record for responding to complaints and Some requests to add features. But we will see.

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#6 killerx525

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 08:06 PM

Looks like i won't be buying the iPad 2.

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#7 computerxpds

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 08:11 PM

If you jailbreak it then you can get an app that destroys the file that is created and thus disabling the thing.

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#8 keyboardNinja

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 08:23 PM

This does not affect WiFi only iPads, just FYI.

Either way, if I was going to get an iPad, this wouldn't stop me.

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#9 killerx525

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 08:23 PM

What is this app called to destroy the file?

>Michael
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#10 computerxpds

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 09:09 PM

ummmm, ah there it is, its called untrackered (hopefully I spelled it right). Its in cydia I don't need it because I have an iPod Touch. http://www.techtosh.com/untrackered-clear-automatic-logging-of-locations/

Edited by computerxpds, 21 April 2011 - 09:29 PM.

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#11 killerx525

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Posted 21 April 2011 - 09:41 PM

Looking for it right now.

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#12 the_patriot11

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Posted 23 April 2011 - 01:46 PM

Im just glad I dont have a iphone or ipad. That article keyboard makes a good point, your average phone thief isnt going to care or likely know how to access that feature and is most likely to pawn it-but not all your phone theives are honest. What if a thief wanted something in your house or your car-and stole your phone just to figure out when you are or arn't home-or perhaps, wants to harm you in some way and finds some way of hacking into your phone. Could be even more detrimental in the case of violent breakups when the boyfriend wants to hunt the ex down . . .not to mention the invasion of privacy, cuz I'm willin to bet that information doesnt stay on your phone-it gets transmitted. My android phone has that feature as well-however, it gives you the option of turning it off. Which, if apple were to do that I wouldn't complain-if you want that feature thats great, but one should have the choice whether to turn it on or off or not.

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#13 ViroDox

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Posted 23 April 2011 - 08:59 PM

Other then the fact that Apples real sneaky, I think this would only be useful to police. I do believe this feature was here where you could track your friends iPhone location with an app of some sort. There was actully an ad for it. Then there was issues with privacy laws and maybe they just left it in their for the future updates?

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#14 keyboardNinja

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Posted 23 April 2011 - 09:36 PM

I do believe this feature was here where you could track your friends iPhone location with an app of some sort.

Yeah, it's called foursquare.

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#15 jntkwx

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Posted 26 April 2011 - 08:56 AM

iPhone tracking only part of Apple's security and privacy shortcomings

Takeaway: The revelation by a pair of researchers that iPhones store location data for the life of the device is making waves. How much does it really matter? Chad Perrin suggests the problem goes deeper.