Apple’s Location-Based Services & Privacy
Apple’s iOS4 will anonymously share your location-based information.
Location-based services are poised to make a big impact in everything from mobile advertising to on-demand multimedia services. Users can already use applications such as Clip Mobile’s coupon application to receive deals, sign into FourSquare to let their social networks know where they are, and get turn-by-turn navigation details (including public transit, biking, and walking directions) on their smartphones.
This brings up a key issue which has been in the media recently: privacy.
Location-based services will have access to more data than just your account and login information and could potentially be used for other purposes (such as the woman who posted on Facebook about her new Xbox & her absence from home and was subsequently robbed).
To that end, all the current location-based services as opt-in, that is, they require your explicit permission to be installed and used. This is set to change with Apple’s new iOS4 on the soon-to-be-released iPhone 4 (and upgraded iPhone 3GSes).
Apple’s updated privacy policy states [emphasis mine]:
To provide location-based services on Apple products, Apple and our partners and licensees may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device. This location data is collected anonymously in a form that does not personally identify you and is used by Apple and our partners and licensees to provide and improve location-based products and services. For example, we may share geographic location with application providers when you opt in to their location services.
Some location-based services offered by Apple, such as the MobileMe “Find My iPhone” feature, require your personal information for the feature to work.
While the policy states that the data is anonymized, there isn’t any way to disable data collection while still using these services. Hopefully Apple revises or enables (simplified, unlike Facebook’s first iteration) better controls over what information users are “anonymously” giving away.
Will this affect your iPhone 4/3GS upgrade decision?
What part of, “by my permission and my privacy” is not clear to these corporations? Filters take care of 99.9% of spam. Why do they think we want to be spammed on our phones and devices or laptops while at a café, travelling or around town. They make huge profits by allowing third party hucksters to suck off their corporate data, namely you Joe public.
People have to realize that privacy is a fundamental right, giving it away can have annoying consequences if not dangerous ramifications. Apple users (or any other company) should rally against this invasion of their privacy rights, demanding a one click opt out of any offerings, geotagging, and location data.
I have no problem finding what I need when traveling using applications that do not require giving third party anybody my personal whereabouts, name, or shirt size.
This is really too Orwellian only this time it is the corporations trying to keep track of everyone. Take back your rights, protest, and kick Apple where it counts sending a clear message of your intolerance to Apple’s indifference of you.
What about parental concerns about inappropriate advertising, lured by these purveyors of schlock, selling things that people do not need, trying to grab their attention while driving and the list goes on and on.
What’s the difference between this and the fact that we all use cell phones? Cellphone companies have the exact information Apple is looking for, and we don’t go knocking on their door.
I really don’t have a problem with this. It’s not like Apple is going to send some spy to watch over me. They’re doing this to improve my experience… and don’t we want the best experience possible? I would, however, have a problem with this if they were using it for advertising. Then I would be a little more concerned with how their using my location data.
It’s totally worth this to get a better mobile experience. If you have a mobile device you should expect to be tracked in the first place. What’s the difference between your mobile carrier doing this and not Apple?
We need to get out of the stone age here and start looking towards the future, not the past. If we want to have location based services, we’re going to have to give up our location to get it. Simple as that.
The difference between this and the cellphone companies is that the cellphone companies do not associate my occupation and home zip with the location information that they collect and then sell it to third-parties. The cellular providers record my location as a part of providing the service that I’m paying for. Apple is collecting my location etc, completely outside the scope of what they are providing to me (a functional smartphone)
I would have much less objection if there was a way to opt out of this data collection.
We are being constantly frightened by media and we are helping as individuals to create a more and more paranoid world, living in fear of everything and everyone..give me a break!
The issue is that my brand experiences and preferences are complex. I like Apple and Caffe nero. I don’t like Starbucks. I prefer Pepsi to Coke and GM over Ford. And so on. If I receive ads which meet my needs, I can, just about cope with this – in small or moderate quantities. If I receive vouchers for downmarket pizza bars, cosmetics I don’t wear or clothing from the high street chains I never use, I will not be pleased.