This TRACKING thing: can't you just power off the phone?

Yes. Or put it into Airplane mode.

But the consolidated.db file is still on your phone with any previous data recorded.

johnfromrichmond wrote:

But the consolidated.db file is still on your phone with any previous data recorded.

Yes that is true.

http://goo.gl/rhsN9

This is just a cache that hasn't gotten cleaned up, rather then some sinister tracking tool.

I assume Apple will remove this bug with the next iOS update.

No one is "tracking" you.

It is a log of which cell sites your phone interacts with at different intervals.

Calm down.

And yes if your phone is in "Airplane" mode it doesn't talk to cell towers, and thus does not log that information.

And also set your iphone backup to encrypt if you feel scared.

We can just power it off, right?

Yes, and don't forget to remove any "Toll Tags" from your car.

OnStar however, cannot be turned off. It also makes a permanent record of your travels.

Are you really that naive? This wasnt a bug, it wasnt a cache that accidentally didnt get cleaned up, it says right in their TOS that they are recording your location. This exact database has already been used in multiple court cases!!! It has been known about for quite a while, forensics has used it as evidence, it is just now coming out to the public...

Well, Mr. gruber can believe whatever he wishes, but the Wall St. Journal today is reporting that not only iPhone's are doing this, but so are Google's Android phones. In both cases, they report the databases are transmitted back to Apple and Google respectively, and that this very much an attempt to collect data for marketing revenue - location based data is estimated to be worth several billion dollars a year to those who possess it and sell it to others.

It's not a bug, and Apple is not the only cell phone maker doing it. It is deliberate attempts to capture demographic location based data to be sold to marketing and advertising firms and anyone else who may think it useful enough to purchase access to.

Again, other cell phone makers got permission to use that data. Apple did not. The Apple policy states, "By using any location-based services on your iPhone, you agree and consent to Apple's and its partners' and licensees' transmission, collection, maintenance, processing and use of your location data and queries to provide and improve such products and services." The consolidated.db service did not ask permission, it has been running from the first time the iOS device was booted. Now any idiot knowing this who wants to steal your iOS device and can type jailbreak into a search engine can gain access that file. I know it just records your approximate location and the time every few minutes but to people like Eugene Kaspersky's son's kidnappers that info would be quite valuable. No?

But the consolidated.db file is still on your phone with any previous data recorded.

Which you should be encrypting.

Matt

can just power it off, right?

Or leave it at home.

You guys crack me up.

Stasis88 wrote:

This exact database has already been used in multiple court cases!!!

As many have stated before, mobile providers track phones; and that is what is used in court.

Apple hasn't been called into court to provide data on a phones usage or location.

Try to do some research rather then use exclamation marks to sensationalise.

Tell me, do you totally encrypt your computer?

You should.

This is a cache that has not been cleared.

Apple did make a mistake to let so much data get collected and stored on your phone and computer.

This file is not sent to Apple.

If you do not use an encrypted iphone back up then you have already decided that security of your data is not important.

Your cellphone provider DOES log which towers you are connecting to in real time.

These are facts.

But please continue your knee jerk reaction, it's very entertaining.

But please continue your knee jerk reaction, it's very entertaining.

Indeed. 😉

For those interested, there's some useful information about all this here:

https://alexlevinson.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/3-major-issues-with-the-latest-iph one-tracking-discovery/

Matt

Tell me, do you totally encrypt your computer?

You should.

I meant choose the encryption option in iTunes when you backup your phone.

(Of course one could also choose to use FileVault on their Mac and encrypt the contents of your Home folder though I don't recommend it unless your storing missile launch codes or something.)

Matt

So why no real response from Apple? When Antenna Gate happened Apple was quick to give a press release stating there was no problem and it wasn't until the consumer report review posted that they changed their tune. That's about time that Steve Jobs told the iDiots that they were holding the phone wrong. That happened within days. Yet Apple is caught breaking their own policies and the law and we have heard little more than a peep from them. Just curious, I still own Apple stock.