Earlier this week, we reported on a new study by two researchers that shows how iOS devices, like the iPhone and iPad, pinpoints the location of a user and then stores that information in a file located on the device. Many users began worrying about their privacy because anyone with access to their device or device backups can gain the information found in that file. In the meantime, Android users were starting to, let's say "laugh," at iOS users because they thought their Android phones were much more secure. Well, it turns out not.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Google does indeed collect the same location information that Apple does from smartphone users, and then sends that information to Google. While we don't exactly know what Apple and Google are using or planning to use this data for, many are beginning to speculate it's for location-based services that will be coming in the future.
In the case of Google, according to new research by security analyst Samy Kamkar, an HTC Android phone collected its location every few seconds and transmitted the data to Google at least several times an hour. It also transmitted the name, location and signal strength of any nearby Wi-Fi networks, as well as a unique phone identifier.
Apple did admit last year that it "intermittently" collects location information, including GPS coordinates and nearby Wi-Fi networks, from users' devices every 12 hours.
What do you think about this whole thing? Worried? Don't care? Let us know in the comments below.
[...] user locations. Steve Jobs simply replies that Android phones do in fact track users, which we reported a few days ago, and that the rumors circulating are “false.” Q: [...]