If it's a cookie that can be accessed, it'll say where it is... what's the diff, anyhoot...and I don't care if it's a duck or a goose... if it tracks you, it tracks you. You see only minuses whereas I see some plusses. The fact that it can be turned off means that now they'll create one that can't be. I just figure people will come up with one way or another to sell something...
Also, just how many of the stalker/molester crimes occurred because of that consolidated.db? Did any? I don't see facts coming out, only fears. They are justified, but unfortunately not quantified - which might have gone some distance in relaxing folks. Too bad no one actually has done the research to find out... before this:
Please read this: https://alexlevinson.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/3-major-issues-with-the-latest-iphone-tracking-discovery/
I did a search, and couldn't find any real data. This thing isn't "new" it's been around for awhile... I wasn't saying it was a 'good' thing but I also don't want the baby thrown out with the bath water. If I mixed GPS and consolidated.db, please don't shoot me. My intentions are good. Honest.
Data mining is a reality and it is, by definition all pervasive. Is there really any way around it? By just telling everyone, the stimulus to create another, well hidden and more pervasive app is created. That's just the way the world works, "a better mouse trap". Do I think it's invasive? Yes! Do I like it? NO! Can it have some redeeming aspects? Yes... as I said, it's a trade off and everyone has to come to his or her own conclusion about it.
" But it turns out that Apple already explained its location-collection practices in a detailed letter — almost a year ago" (per "Wired").
According to Wired:
"Why is Apple collecting geodata?
The purpose of all this, according to Apple, is to maintain a comprehensive location database, which in turn provides quicker and more precise location services.
“Apple must be able to determine quickly and precisely where a device is located,” Apple said in its letter. “To do this, Apple maintains a secure database containing information regarding known locations of cell towers and Wi-Fi access points.”
In older versions of Apple’s mobile OS (1.1.3 to 3.1), Apple relied on Google and Skyhook Wireless to provide location-based services — so Apple left data collection to them. But ever since April 2010, starting with iPhone OS 3.2 and continuing into the current iOS 4 software, Apple has started using its own databases to provide location-based services to iOS devices.
“These databases must be updated continuously to account for, among other things, the ever-changing physical landscape, more innovative uses of mobile technology, and the increasing number of Apple’s users,” Apple said in its letter.
Navalho explained that mobile location services work like this: To get your location, first the iPhone or iPad pulls from Apple’s database containing previously stored information about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi spots to quickly triangulate your location, and then finally the GPS chip analyzes how long it takes satellite signals to reach the device in order to pinpoint location."
I agree that it makes the iPad/iPhone vulnerable to hackers/thieves who get their "hands" on the device. I'm not even 100% sure it was for marketing data mining.
I'm also not sure any crime was committed because of it. Yet.
I think it was sloppy programming, and should have been made in a way that prevented anyone but Apple from accessing it (if it was for non nefarious purposes) and the data deleted on an hourly (for instance) basis. It was probably designed by honest people who didn't think of the possible criminal ramifications.
After all, the folks who got the letter never thought of the criminals, and plenty of them are techy folks. All you have to do is lock the device, and the data becomes unavailable, also.