Your iPhone is logging everywhere you go to a hidden file on the device
 

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/20...r-location.ars

Security researchers find iPhones, 3G iPads track user location
By Chris Foresman | Last updated 20 minutes ago

Two security researchers have discovered that iPhones and 3G-equipped iPads regularly record and store location information to a hidden file that is backed up to iTunes and even transferred to new devices. While the information isn't necessarily accessible to remote hackers, the researchers noted that it does raise some important concerns about privacy.

Researchers Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden announced this morning that they are presenting their findings at the Where 2.0 conference on Wednesday. "Ever since iOS 4 arrived, your device has been storing a long list of locations and time stamps," the pair noted in a post to O'Reilly Radar. "We're not sure why Apple is gathering this data, but it's clearly intentional, as the database is being restored across backups, and even device migrations."

Warden developed software to view and analyze the database of locations stored by your iOS device, a copy of which is likely sitting unencrypted on the computer with which you sync your iPhone or iPad. The pair advised that turning on backup encryption in iTunes is an easy way to protect the information from leaking, though anyone with physical access to your iDevice could potentially access and analyze the database.

We have contacted Apple and several security experts to get a better understanding of the privacy and security implications of Allan and Warden's findings. Keep an eye out for our in-depth analysis on the issue later today.

Yes, 1884 is for you.

Apple needs to know the best places to open new stores.

I keep my iPhone in a Faraday cage at all times, so I'm safe from these sorts of intrusions. Granted it doesn't get very good reception, but that's the price you pay to be secure and trendy at the same time.

don't have one

Tracking has potential commercial uses.
I saw this comment (made by an unidentified member of the public) attached to a news article (simply because it raises an interesting point as to how this could be used):

QUOTE 1. It is also the KINDLE!!!! After my arrival to Sydney, KINDLE refused to download FALL OF THE GIANTS, and I was informed to "get in touch with the "home Office" (or something to this effect). KINDLE knew where I was and refused to send me material requested. I totally abhore KINDLE Big Brother behavior for, I did not sign for that! KINDLE's price of download is cheaper in USA at least for $2.- I am appalled by their tracking me through the KINDLE-implant! ENDQUOTE

http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/...n-researchers/

I am pleased it amuses you, it is good to laugh. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.gif

I know nothing of Kindle. I read real books made out of real paper. http://www.discussworldissues.com/im...ons/icon14.gif

BTW If you access your Amazon account from Canada via your iPhone perhaps service could be denied because "they" know your iPhone is in Canada? The technology appears to be there to do it.

This thread prompted me to thinking. As cross border internet commerce grows, governments are going to have an increasing incentive to find ways to contain or recoup losses of sales taxes, tariffs and customs duties on cross border transactions. This could lead to efforts to find technological solutions with international co-ordination and enforcement of internet commerce. I expect the technological and regulatory difficulties would be a nightmare but given the volumes of money involved the governments may feel a real incentive to try (to protect their revenues). Can't say I'd thought of this before just now.

In other news, the white Iphone is coming out, which will upload the photos you take on it to a central database in Steve Jobs' underwater lair.