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Apple Inc. (AAPL) responded to mounting concern over the privacy of its mobile devices, saying it does not track iPhone users although its software does contain flaws affecting the collection of data required for location-based services.
On Wednesday, the Cupertino, Calif., consumer electronics giant said it does not maintain the location of individual iPhones. It does, however, keep a database of Wi-Fi hotspots and cellular towers, portions of which it feeds to a device in order to quickly provide local information.
“Apple is not tracking the location of your iPhone,” the company said in a statement posted on its website. “Apple has never done so and has no plans to ever do so.”
The company’s response comes after researchers found a file containing location information on the iPhone and Apple’s iPad tablet computer. The discovery raised questions about Apple’s data collection practices, a theme that has affected other companies and piqued the interest of Congress.
Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android operating system, the most popular smartphone software, also keeps similar files on phones that use it. Last week, the search giant defended its information location-gathering practices, saying it makes its customers aware of when information is being collected.
online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110427-716105.html
On Wednesday, the Cupertino, Calif., consumer electronics giant said it does not maintain the location of individual iPhones. It does, however, keep a database of Wi-Fi hotspots and cellular towers, portions of which it feeds to a device in order to quickly provide local information.
“Apple is not tracking the location of your iPhone,” the company said in a statement posted on its website. “Apple has never done so and has no plans to ever do so.”
The company’s response comes after researchers found a file containing location information on the iPhone and Apple’s iPad tablet computer. The discovery raised questions about Apple’s data collection practices, a theme that has affected other companies and piqued the interest of Congress.
Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android operating system, the most popular smartphone software, also keeps similar files on phones that use it. Last week, the search giant defended its information location-gathering practices, saying it makes its customers aware of when information is being collected.
online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110427-716105.html