First problems for Google and Apple to tracking systems in smartphones
While not get a confirmed email to Steve Jobs on the subject, begin the first legal action to the offending file with geolocation data. And the Congress is called for clarification even Google
Rome - The file that stores in the iPhone / iPad coordinates unencrypted positioning seems to be confirmed by the user reached an intricate situation that is flowing in the first legal action, and that, as feared by some observers, it may not only concern Apple.
The problem is in the extended time for which such data are stored, potentially unlimited so as to have led some to talk about a simple bug caused by a programmer forgot to activate an expiration date, but also in the fact chesolo a clause in the conditions of 'use there is some sort of release request to the users and that the data are not limited to those collected by the canonical geolocation systems such as GPS. In fact, they also contain those that can be traced through the registration dell'allaccio to WiFi networks and GSM repeaters, as confirmed by a study by the Wall Street Journal showed that the positioning is also registered with the system localization disabled.
To confirm the opinion of some observers, including former hacker who deals with security Samy Kamkar and the Swedish Pirate Magnus Eriksson, even Google is now the center of controversy and investigation starting on the practice of tracking its users.
In fact, the situation seemed to be able to dismount detection that Google considers the geolocation of their devices an opt-in service called Google Location Services. However, in addition to the information required to operate the services based on these data, Mountain View, according to some observers, also would collect information that can identify individual users. One problem, in short, as in the case of Street View collection trawl for information.
Furthermore, it would seem that some of the most downloaded applications from the Android Marketplace transmit positioning information to the network of advertising is when the user interacts with the ad, and when the app is not even active. And in some cases to send data every 30 seconds.
In any case, requests for investigations will shed light on these situations and also, both in the Congress of the senators involved, both those of associations, now intend to call into question Mountain View: The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, has sent a letter of clarification sull'argomenti directing in Cupertino and Mountain View. As well as both have been summoned to a hearing of the Senate Committee on Privacy in the field of mobile technology promoted by Senator Al Franken. Also open an investigation by the Communication Authority South Korea.
So far, to requests for clarification Google responded reiterating that it had always asked for permission for the collection of data, which does not come to include information that would identify the individual device. Apple still remains rather silent on the matter, except that reports stating that these types of data is not sent to Apple and the now familiar email that Steve Jobs would be sent to a user: in it the CEO would deny any form of tracking, pointing the finger instead on Android devices.
The assurances of Jobs did, however, have averted the first complaint for Apple: adepositarla were Vikram Ajjampur and William Devito, two users of Apple who are now seeking for your action class action status: ask for any damage resulting from not having received the explicit request by Apple for the collection of geolocation data and a permanent injunction against the offending function.
26/04/2011
----------------------------------------
Translated via software
----------------------------------------
Source:
Italian version of ReteArchitetti.it