CCTV, China’s main news network, otherwise known as “Propaganda Central”, has reported that Apple has been tracking people’s movements on their sparkly new iOS 7 devices, which came out natively on the iPhone 5s, 5c and iPad air. Surprisingly, I think China might be a bit behind the technology curve here.
Two guys from a security research firm found this tracking in iOS4 in 2011, and reported on it. There was a big thing about it, thus making news headlines all over the world. Then someone actually took the time to read through the ITunes 15000+ word Terms and Conditions. It clearly states that Apple collects location information locally on the device, and can use this data anonymously at their discretion.
Excerpt from ITunes: “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 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.”
You are now welcome to start feeling precarious about scrolling to the end of the Terms and Conditions and clicking “I agree”. Apple however have come out saying that this can be disabled, and that all the data is stored locally. That shouldn’t make you feel better though, as we know our friends at a certain US “intelligence agency” pretty much have free reign on any data passing over a mobile network, as Vodafone have publicly admitted.
Given the recent spate of hack attacks between USA and China, it would seem that the Chinese are looking for ways to rid themselves of anything that the Americans can control. It looks like Microsoft Windows has also been caught in the same spotlight with more allegations of tracking, and possibly uncovering some Chinese state secrets.
I must admit, I’m an android user, so you might think I’m biased, but it’s no secret that Google does the same thing. They are just a bit more upfront about it, by actually asking you if you’d like to share your data. Like I have previously said, digital user information is the hottest commodity at the moment. Everyone is looking for new ways to keep track of you, what you are doing, and when you’re doing it.
You can take steps to be a bit more restrictive with your personal movements. Maybe throw away your phone, start living off the grid and reside in a tent, or you can turn off location sharing. There are a bunch of guides online on how to disable tracking, encrypt data and conceal movements. Being proactive here is key. Once they have your data, they will not let it go.