iPhone, iPad Users Express Concern Over Tracking Data
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS) -- When Pete Warden moved from Denver to San Francisco last year he knew his iPhone could track his movements and let him know where he was during his drive. What he didn't know was that his iPhone was logging that information and storing it.
"I spent a fed days driving through and you can see I stopped over in Utah," said Warden.
Warden, and fellow researcher Alasdair Allan, unveiled their findings at a technology conference in California.
These researchers say any device that runs IOS4, the latest mobile operating system for both iPhones and iPads, can find you and log the location, no matter where you 'say' you're going.
The tracking device works extremely well on the iPhone, when you tell everyone you're going to Love Park, it sees you.
But the iPhone tracking device also sees you when you're parked at a love theatre.
Allan says, "this data is being collected and kept in one place and its just building up over time on an un-encrypted file on you device.
The pair is very concerned about privacy implications for users. Warden says, "this is a potentially damaging amount of information for some people. You know, if you have a jealous spouse, or if the file gets into the hands of someone who is investigating you, this tells them an awful lot about your life."
Despite this surprising revelation, C-Net editor Brian Cooley says users of iPhones and iPads don't need to panic. He says, "I'd be concerned, I wouldn't be worried. The fact that this information is on your iPhone and iPad and on your computer when you sync them, at least it's still yours. The fear is when and if those devices get hacked or if this information is suddenly used by Apple in ways you don't like, that's when it gets a little more nerve-racking."
Reported by Dave Huddleston, CBS 3
