The iPhone 4, recording your movements wherever you go

20 April, 2011
Two security researchers in the UK have uncovered a disturbing truth. It appears iPhone 4's everywhere have been tracking their users movements with startling accuracy (unbeknownst to the users) and what is...

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  • s
  • someone
  • fvx
  • 21 Apr 2011

very scary your location can be tracked by others. so check this, your net usage also could be tracked ,trackers could follow your interests, your opinions even your relationships. credit cards could be tracked to follow your purchases (where did you go and what you had bought even what you have ate). Now you could be followed concerning your location, the way you think and your cash outflow. So its easier to stay nude.

    • m
    • maxwell
    • vxt
    • 21 Apr 2011

    scary...,
    i mean one of this days there will be a strong law aginst people uing the net and this is one of the best tool of the big companies to condem you hahahahah and this is one of thier weapon to sue you and so on and so on .. who knows how far this will go i mean criminals can be track online , atm machines credit card bottom line all of this tech is using the net and tracking the users ouch you judge

      • D
      • AnonD-6618
      • svJ
      • 21 Apr 2011

      Still the best ever and coming with innovative ideas too.Just few time to its introduction and yet thousands of order requests in our store.Get in touch with me for yours..

        • D
        • AnonD-40
        • IDk
        • 21 Apr 2011

        AnonD-171, 21 Apr 2011that's what you think http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/... moreSo the data gets left on the computer where you sync your iPhone and on the device itself so what? I personally don't see any issue with this. I'm not a wanted criminal nor do I do anything illegal. My data is useless to the Feds but I can see the usefulness of this data when it comes to tracking criminals.

        Anyways, here's a more geeky explanation for this from a poster on BoingBoing:

        "The file name says it all, CellLocation, under the Cache directory.
        Apple is essentially caching the location of cell tower ids, so they can do triangulation without having to request this info again from their servers. Cell triangulation is needed even with a GPS chip, because otherwise it would take a really long time to get a lock.
        This actually enhances your privacy with respect to Apple since their servers don't get a request for your location at every point (which how Google does it). This is Cell ID to location is requested only when you go somewhere else covered by different cell (or the cache expires)
        Sure maybe this file could be encrypted by Apple using some key, but that key could also easily be cracked and then what."


        From Techpm on Engadget
        "This file only records the cell tower information once for each cell and that's over an year or more. It just doesn't work to track anyones movements, certainly not your daily activities. Here's the SQL code of that particular table:

        CREATE TABLE CellLocation (MCC INTEGER, MNC INTEGER, LAC INTEGER, CI INTEGER, Timestamp FLOAT, Latitude FLOAT, Longitude FLOAT, HorizontalAccuracy FLOAT, Altitude FLOAT, VerticalAccuracy FLOAT, Speed FLOAT, Course FLOAT, Confidence INTEGER, PRIMARY KEY (MCC, MNC, LAC, CI))

        People who get this will know what PRIMARY KEY means. MCC, MNC, LAC and CI are cell tower identifiers."

          • D
          • AnonD-739
          • Iuv
          • 21 Apr 2011

          I loveeeeeee my N8!!! LOL!

            • S
            • SxeHunK850i
            • LKp
            • 21 Apr 2011

            Every device has location based services and the iPhone isn't excluded from this. How do you credit card companies knows where you swiped your card, how do facebook knows you are logging on through a new location, how does your 'tom-tom' tell you where to go if it doesn't know where you are? Don't be paranoid consumers!

              • D
              • AnonD-171
              • kDi
              • 21 Apr 2011

              AnonD-40, 21 Apr 2011"The data itself does not however transmit back to App... morethat's what you think
              http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/researchers-find-ios-4-records-your-location-in-system-file-syn/

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • t7X
                • 21 Apr 2011

                still love iPhone?

                  • D
                  • AnonD-40
                  • IDk
                  • 21 Apr 2011

                  AnonD-171, 21 Apr 2011people didn't believe me about apple spying on people and w... more"The data itself does not however transmit back to Apple so its use at this point in time is unclear."
                  - GSMArena

                  The info never leaves the iPhone though. You also need to Jailbreak and use a program to open it.

                    • R
                    • RJ11
                    • 9Lb
                    • 21 Apr 2011

                    Privacy invasion..
                    This changes everything again!
                    LOL

                      • T
                      • Tiptoestoryteller
                      • upe
                      • 21 Apr 2011

                      does this hold true for all ios 4.x devices including the ipod touch 4

                        • A
                        • Andoid Killer
                        • RNW
                        • 21 Apr 2011

                        ...Nothing new... Google doing same for a long time...

                          • D
                          • AnonD-171
                          • kDi
                          • 21 Apr 2011

                          people didn't believe me about apple spying on people and watching what they do on their iDevices .....why do you think i always pick symbianOS and nokia cause of this same thing...this should not be allowed and apple she give a world a wide appology and a cease and desisted on all radio triangulation recordings

                            • L
                            • Law
                            • v6h
                            • 21 Apr 2011

                            Lol it would be expected coming from apple, they rip you off , take ur money, suck you into things with bs lies, and then track where u go and steal your privicy, well done america, support the phone, for if it wasnt for your unfortunate interest in this pethetic device and company in general, it would be nothing in the market place today

                              • D
                              • DanTheMan
                              • LIh
                              • 21 Apr 2011

                              Holy chair!!! I must not let my wife see this!

                                • a
                                • adfs
                                • LHf
                                • 21 Apr 2011

                                no its the damn true ! !

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-40
                                  • IDk
                                  • 21 Apr 2011

                                  AnonD-4697, 21 Apr 2011LOL The extremme paranoia of Mr. Jobs? Next what, Finger ti... moreThe finger print scanner on the Atrix actually sends the scanned finger prints to the FBI, CIA and Dapartment of Homeland Security. It then cross checks the finger prints with known terrorists. It was a vicious plot masquerading as an innocent security feature on the Atrix. So don't be surprised if you suddenly finds yourself under arrest by dozens of cops with the media and a hellicopter in tow. XD

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-4697
                                    • LuN
                                    • 21 Apr 2011

                                    LOL The extremme paranoia of Mr. Jobs? Next what, Finger tip ID recognition anytime you use the touch screen!! hehehehe This was a nice one Aprils Fools Like Notice...

                                      • S
                                      • Serbian
                                      • LHf
                                      • 21 Apr 2011

                                      I knew that already.... But thanks GSMA for letting others know officially! :)

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-1470
                                        • uF0
                                        • 21 Apr 2011

                                        Haha, nice one!