Apple Lays Out Location Collection Policies 281
itwbennett writes "In a 13-page reply (PDF) to questions from Congressmen Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Joe Barton of Texas, Apple said iPhones running OS 3.2 or iOS 4 collect GPS data and encrypt it before sending it back to Apple every 12 hours via Wi-Fi. Attached to the GPS data is a random identification number generated by the phone every 24 hours. The information is not associated with a particular customer and Apple uses the data to analyze traffic patterns and density, it said. Apple collects such data from customers who have approved the use of location-based capabilities on the phone and who actually use an application that requires GPS."
Re:Just large enough to bust bandwidth cap? (Score:3, Informative)
No. It transfers the data via WiFi. Don't tell me you didn't even read the summary?
Re:Turn the tables! (Score:3, Informative)
True enough, but Apple is in a market that is rapidly evolving and what is "absolutely necessary" is far from settled.
Sure- I work for a company which, whilst different, is in a very similar environment. I'd rather amend and update a policy / document, as needed, with the aim of maximising clarity and relevance for any given time, than bundling everything in upfront, on the basis that it might, one day, be relevant - I don't think a consumer / user benefits from this approach.
Re:Intelligence test (Score:3, Informative)
you don't have to live in location where your phone bill arrives. Any sane service provider might try to reduce billing costs and deliver bills electronically. I haven't received bill for my cell in last 6 years. No paper bill for land line in last 2 years.
Re:Turn the tables! (Score:3, Informative)
Amending stuff after people bought it is worse than having a dense legal paper upfront. What if people don't agree with your amendments? Should you be allowed to force them? I don't think you should, they already bought it and you agreed to offer them the product with that policy.
Re:Turn the tables! (Score:3, Informative)
Actually it is far from clear that Apple is doing anything different, but either way it strikes me as quite a high risk approach in a common law system.
Re:Turn the tables! (Score:3, Informative)
Not to mention that the Congressman apparently suffers from AADD if he can't read through a 13-page report written in more or less plain English. And, yes, I did read the linked PDF file. It wasn't exactly gripping but I had no problem getting though it.
Actually, I think he's talking about Apple's Privacy Policy [apple.com] - which is as long as it is due to requirements of the law.