Apple’s revised privacy policy states: “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.”
Boulton reports, “This has Reps. Markey and Barton, who co-chair the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, concerned. ‘Given the limited ability of Apple users to opt out of the revised policy and still be able to take advantage of the features of their Apple products, we are concerned about the impact the collection of such data could have on the privacy of Apple’s customers,’ the Congressmen wrote in the letter.”
Boulton reports, “The lawmakers want to better understand Apple’s data collection practices and their potential impact on consumers, as well as public policy implications of the data usage.”
Full article, including Markey’s and Barton’s questions, for which they demand answers from Apple by July 12, here.
WHERE AM I?!?!?
This is what you do when you are completely incapable of dealing with the real issues that face our country.
Congressmen to Steve Jobs: “Hey! We’re the only one’s allowed to track people’s locations!”
Asshats.
What @Spark said times 3.
@Spark, your first take is spot on.
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Seriously, who are you more worried about knowing where you are? Apple
or the government.
Barton: “I want to apologize to BP for allowing the public to know the location and extent of Deep Sh*t Horizon oil spill.”
Steve tell them to go F themselves!
These guys are spending money like drunken sailors and they are worried about this????
WTF!!!!!!!!!
Opting out is very easy and accessible to all customers. I don’t know where he got the idea it’s not easy for anyone to do.
If these little bitches wanna know what a member of the general public (who isn’t fear based) thinks of this, they can come see me in person! They don’t know where I am located? Ask Apple!
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And this is only an issue because Apple notifies their users that this data is being collected (and gives options and instructions for turning this off), whereas Google and other competitors collect this info without informing anyone.
Congress really is the domain of self-important morons. God help us all.
Constituents of Massachusetts and Texas, write to your congressmen and let them know your sentiments.
Sounds like a shakedown to me. I’d like to apologize for the idiocy of the American electorate that sent these buffoons to Washington. I know Barton is from Texas, but that can only be used as an excuse for so much.
I wish steve would answer them with on of his short but concise email.
Total morons. They fail to understand that ALL smartphones do this. And for good reason. Location Services is what let’s you use GPS apps on you iPhone. Or get directions using the Maps app. Location Services could save your life by broadcasting your location if your car went off the road and tumbled down an embankment. And more.
But these dickheads are too arrogant and clueless to get that. My hunch is that Google sent some hos to thei office to do them.
Clueless bastiches.
Meanwhile, our economy and place in the world is being destroyed by these idiots in Congress.
“I don’t knhatehat will result or the impact of this legislation will be, but I s&m;proud if what we accomplished today.”
– Senator Christopher Dodd on Financial Reform
May God have mercy on us all.
It’s November 2 — do you know where your politicians are?
The truest indication that Apple is in the news maybe a little too much: attacks on policies that others have implemented for years with no disclosure. Seriously, the US government can whisk people to CIA black sites to be tortured or killed with no due process but Apple’s anonymous device tracking merits investigation and demands for clarity? What a fvcked up country.
Anyone can opt out at oo.apple.com. Just go there with an iOS 4 device.
“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.'”
– Ronald Reagan
apple’s competitors are networking to attack & hinder.
apparently someone knows a congressman or two. (google, nokia, htc…?)
What the F•ck do those two Asshats know about technology?
They probably want an iPhone but want assurance before hand that they cannot be tracked when collecting money from lobbyists, raising illegal campaign funds, visiting the local strip club, etc.. Also to make sure nobody knows how little time they spend at their office doing real work.
How can you tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving!
“I never had coke sex at Casa De Whore. I loaned the phone to a page.”
It is none of their damn business. Butt out you douche bags!