Apple iPhone OS4 Tracks Your Location

The new iSO4 from Apple is now also available as a general software update for all iPhone users.  The information it can track is not so much about where you have been; it's not some clandestine spyware.  No, this is actually more about the device and services that will ultimately allow developers to bring more location based Apps. In fact the location data is collected anonymously in a form that does not personally identify the user.

Data such as geolocation may be shared with application providers only when you opt in to their location services.  By visiting oo.apple.com you can actually opt out of all data for iAds (Apple's mobile advertising service).   Even Google tracks location data from Android phones.  Indeed, Apple has tracked this kind of information before, since how could MobileMe track your lost phone otherwise?

Location services are becoming part of the way we live. If we become overly concerned with security issues, we will have to forego the many great benefits of location based Apps, that in fact can make our lives safer, not to mention more productive.