A “Probe in Your Pocket”? Apple’s Steve Jobs and Google’s Andy Rubin Talk Smartphone Privacy at D8 and Dive.

I think Google is being unfairly dragged into this whole debate.

The outrage about the iPhone is mainly because it’s local cache is unlimited and is easily accessible, the cache file on Android is properly truncated to the most recent session and one needs root access to read it.

As to why an on-device location cache is even needed it’s because it considerably speeds up location lookup when using the phones’ location capabilities.

And as for sending the data back, it’s very important to note that this is cell tower and WiFi hot-spot triangulation data, and it is sent anonymously, and used to refine and improve the accuracy of the devices’ location capabilities and so the benefit to the users is obvious.

Now Google offers proper notice and control for these features, Apple does not, they should address that with an update and people should just chill out

Actually the iPhone’s data is not easy to find – unless you use the app, but then you’re not finding the file. It’s actually buried quite deep.

And we don’t know yet what information is being transmitted back. I suspect it won’t be long until we know the details. Best thing to do for either Android or iOS is to take the hair-on-fire hysteria for what it is. Bloggers looking for hits, lawyers seeing fat lawsuits from deep pockets, and haters of all stripes licking their chops.

And let’s be clear, Apple also asks for opt-in for location data. In fact, it happens so often I sometimes am annoyed by having to say yes once again for the same app.

That doesn’t excuse what might be happening behind the scenes. But it’s not the end of the world. I’d be more concerned about the Supreme Court case from Vermont where drug companies might get the big nine to make harvesting personally identifiable information on our medical records a First Amendment right for drug manufacturers. THAT’s something everybody ought to worry about. This is an annoyance at this point.

Apple, offers proper notice and control as well. The problem is no one understands what they are being notified about and to a certain degree don’t care as long as the Google Maps, Four Square, Yelp, and other such apps function as promised.

The only thing I hope to come out of this is how ALL cell phones AND carriers track (not just update a database which only shows the latest info for a given set of parameters, not each and every time you have been someplace) and log everyone’s where abouts. Google, Apple, and the other smart phone makers are probably the least offenders in the industry and then only because the users want the apps that use that function.

Joe

That is NOT what privacy means, Mr. Jobs. Privacy means that you’re not invading my space. By you, I mean: banks, phone companies, duly authorized law enforcement without a warrant, charitable organizations who are kind enough not to sell my info after I’ve given them my money. Privacy is NOT the same as “knowing what you sign up for.” If I use a smartphone (like my iPhone) i have no choice to negotiate your TOS, and they’re overreaching. Android is even worse, transmitting the info to Google. Privacy policies inevitable mean, “here’s why you don’t have any.” There is little respect in corporate America (and Apple has become as corporate as they get) for privacy. Your smooth redefinition does nothing for me.

Exactly. Apple stores the info onboard and in the synced computer. Google sends it home “several times an hour.” Why stash it any longer? Android/Google’s invasion of privacy is far more gloves off than Apple’s, though both are redolent of US Corporations’ disregard for privacy rights.