Steve Jobs Says Apple Doesn't Track You But Google Does?

POST

MAIL

Posted April 25, 2011 at 12:28pm by Shalom Levytam

Steve Jobs has reportedly responded to a user email about the iPhone location tracking issue declaring that Apple doesn't track you but Google does.

-----
Steve,

Could you please explain the necessity of the passive location-tracking tool embedded in my iPhone? It's kind of unnerving knowing that my exact location is being recorded at all times. Maybe you could shed some light on this for me before I switch to a Droid. They don't track me.
-----

Oh yes they do. We don't track anyone. The info circulating around is false.

Sent from my iPhone

-----

While technically Apple may not send the location data stored in consolidated.db back to headquarters, leaving the data on the device unencrypted and saving it on each computer the iPhone backs up to, makes it awfully easy for someone to get a hold of it and track you. Adding to the flame, this information is being stored despite location services being turned off.

Steve Jobs reportedly claims the info circulating is false. The location history stored in consolidated.db has been verified by numerous sources and even published in forensic analysis books. Jobs is likely referring to the belief that Apple is sending this information home. As far as we know that is not the case.

Read More

Follow iClarified

dancj - April 26, 2011 at 2:45pm

Jobs is denying that Apple track anyone. Considering there's no evidence of the file ever leaving the phone it seems quite likely that he's telling the truth. The file itself doesn't contain locations. It contains a list of antennas that the phone has connected to.

Reply · Like

Trev - April 26, 2011 at 9:57am

Common Jobs, you think the guys who found this are making it all up? these guys crack your products and are fans of your product. IF it weren't for the JB scene, this would have never come up. I can tell you for a fact, that no programmer that needs to meet deadlines would spend the time creating this transferable database file unless there is a explicit reason. This tracking file is deliberate, there is no doubt. What its purpose is, I don't know. Trying to shift focus is an old trick used by many to attempt misdirection. Haven't heard any Android news hit the stand of them doing this. It's open for anyone to get in and have a look, but nobody has noticed it yet? Lol, c'mon

defiantmacho - April 26, 2011 at 2:00am

Has everyone developed the retention span of goldfish? Can anyone say antenna issue? They denied it until they could no longer deny it, and what happened? Everyone got a bump. Free, no less! Apple is more likely lying abut this too. Once enough people (and authorities) questions and presures Apple enough a new patch or update will be released... And then, they will go fo thirds the charm and try something new. I just can't help but wonder, just what else has Apple gotten away with without us knowing? You have to ask.

Joe Cole - April 26, 2011 at 12:50am

What an amateur reply from a CEO called Steve Jobs.

Jay - April 25, 2011 at 7:06pm

Great sleeping pill. I'll watch it when I'm ready for bed.

David - April 25, 2011 at 1:53pm

Well, consolidated.db keeps a cache of cell tower locations. This isn't the same as user locations. It covers a wide swathe of area and, if you stay within this area, movements within this local range aren't really trackable at all. Between this and the fact that the phone doesn't transmit its log, I'd agree that the phone doesn't really track anyone and that far too much has been made of this based on everyone just quoting the original article and becoming captivated by graphical plots of the cell tower locations near where they've been (mistaking the tracks on the maps for their own wanderings).

Noman - April 25, 2011 at 1:49pm

It's very true. Banking transactions, phone calls, licence plates.....the list is endless and all get tracked at various points throughout your average day. If you don't want anyone to know where you are then you're in the wrong era/society.

te72s - April 25, 2011 at 2:06pm

Agree. We should all just go back in time like Marty. I sent him back awhile ago.

defiantmacho - April 26, 2011 at 2:05am

Feels like an episode of Caprica.