There is a GMAIL add on called Cirrus Insight, among Cirrus's capabilities is the ability to track an email. When a tracked email is opened on an iPhone, it sends a message back to the sender telling them that the email was opened and more concerning, the location of the person opening the email. Does anyone know how to prevent the receivers location from being sent?
iPhone 6, iOS 8.2
It seems to me after reading the information I found from Google, this is integrated into a package deal, and the receivers have to be part of the Salesforce group, not just random emails. There is actually a Cirrus Insight app for the iPhone available in the App Store. I believe this is all an integrated package, not some random email tracking device.
Settings > Privacy > Location Services = "Off"
[Or turn off the location services of the specific app reading the email.]
Yes, it is related to Salesforce.com, meaning that the person sending the email has to be a Salesforce.com user, but anyone on the receiving end can be tracked. We use this application for other purposes, but just learned that this email tracking capability is available as well. I tried it by sending my myself an email and was surprised when it send back the time, town and state I was in.
I did go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services = "Off" and it had no effect. I sent myself a test message and it still gave the location information. I opened on my iPad and it did say that I opened the email and gave the time, but did not give the location. I am not sure if this makes a difference but my iphone has cellular service and my ipad does not. Not sure if the location information is coming my my cellular carrier.
As far as it getting location information from your cellular carrier, that is something I couldn't answer. I do find it interesting though that it would still track, since the iPhone/iPad will not send a read receipt if you check that off in Outlook. It will not even prompt you to send/decline, as it is not something the devices will do. I wonder if it is because you are a Salesforce.com user, since you sent an email from there? That may be something you would have to ask the support for that program, but I would be interested in knowing the answer.
I just sent a couple of emails and tracked them with Cirrus Insight, the results are below:
Sent email to personal comcast email address, opened on iPhone, it sent back notification that I opened it and gave my location
Sent same email to personal comcast email address, opened on personal computer, it did not send back notification that it was opened
Sent email to my wife's personal comcast email address, opened the email on iPhone, it sent back notification that I opened it and my location
Sent same email to wife's personal comcast email address, opened the email on personal computer, it did not send back notification that it was opened
I must have something to do with the info the iPhone is sending back, as it did not send open notification when the same email was opened on a laptop
Is this Cirrrus app on the phone?
Have you logged into this website on the phone before or just now for tracking purposes?
I would agree there is something the phone is sending back, but what and how? Since you are there testing, it is showing a location you are aware of. I wonder what would happen if you changed locations, at least significantly enough that it should reflect a different location as to where you picked up the email. And, since location services is off, where is it getting the information?
Another reason I hate Google! ðŸ˜
I will call apple tomorrow and post the results
Sounds good. Hope you get an answer.
iphone and Cirrus Insight
