Consolidated.db and why you should be concerned

[fskimospy]

Can GPS be turned off on an iPhone? I know on my Evo I only turn it on when I need it for Google maps, otherwise its off.

I'm pretty sure I read that it's not using your GPS, but cell tower information so there's no way to turn this off.

 

[blackangst1]

I'm pretty sure I read that it's not using your GPS, but cell tower information so there's no way to turn this off.

It looks like youre right. I was basing on the article post in the OP which specifically says GPS, but after some searching found this very detailed explaination: http://www.willclarke.net/?p=309

And, as expected, the private sector responds: http://dailymobile.se/2011/04/21/co...olidated-db-with-location-blocker-for-iphone/

Jailbreak app: Location Blocker – Remove your GPS locations

This jailbreak tweak blocks locationd from storing any information about cell locations, wifi locations and your last past locations. Now Apple wont be able to track your GPS locations anymore

Although I doubt a hack could be made made to block cell tower triangulation, but you never know.

 

[nonlnear]

Can GPS be turned off on an iPhone? I know on my Evo I only turn it on when I need it for Google maps, otherwise its off.

There's a reason the feds prohibited the activation of any cell phone that lacks GPS capability, and it has nothing to do with public safety. As for "turning off" the GPS, well there's turning off and there's turning off. Let's just suffice it to say that the power button is not sufficient to prevent your cell phone from being used by the feds as a wireless microphone. (Granted this article isn't about GPS data, but the federal GPS mandate is germane to the discussion.)

 

[Jhhnn]

Android phones keep the same sort of info, so switching isn't the answer, if you're concerned-

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news...cation-cache-too-but-its-harder-to-access.ars

Want privacy? Use a pay phone, if you can find one... use it to call another pay phone, an organized crime fave...

 

[Capt Caveman]

To all of the fear mongers, do you use a credit card, nonapple cellphone(smart or dumb), landline, internet, drive a car, go thru tolls, etc?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Can GPS be turned off on an iPhone? I know on my Evo I only turn it on when I need it for Google maps, otherwise its off.

You can turn-off 'Location Services'. Not sure if it completely turns-off the gps but no apps, even gps ones, are able to locate you.

 

[lothar]

Android phones keep the same sort of info, so switching isn't the answer, if you're concerned-

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news...cation-cache-too-but-its-harder-to-access.ars

Want privacy? Use a pay phone, if you can find one... use it to call another pay phone, an organized crime fave...

Android's method is "opt-in".
Apple's method is "opt-out" through jail breaking or other means.

You mean to tell me you can't see the difference?

 

[Jhhnn]

Android's method is "opt-in".
Apple's method is "opt-out" through jail breaking or other means.

You mean to tell me you can't see the difference?

I can see the difference, if it actually exists. The Ars article offers that locator services are opt in on both devices-

UPDATE: Google spokesperson Randall Sarafa contacted Ars to clarify that its data collection practices are opt-in, as is Apple's. "All location sharing on Android is opt-in by the user. We provide users with notice and control over the collection, sharing and use of location in order to provide a better mobile experience on Android devices," he told Ars.

None of which means that the average user has any idea what they're opting into, or that the mobile devices we take for granted are actually doing only what we think they are. Which is not to infer any nefarious big brother activities, either.

 

[dmcowen674]

At least those of you who own Iphones and have concerns over privacy.

We all know these phones are capable of giving your location at any given moment but since OS4 a file consolidated.db is on your phone collecting your location information which can be extracted and a history displayed.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/...y-storing-users-location/?partner=rss&emc=rss

The equipment I installed is working perfectly.

 

[matt0611]

How does this go back to apple?
Through the internet from your phone or?

 

[rudeguy]

How does this go back to apple?
Through the internet from your phone or?

yep

Apple sends the data back a couple times a day. Android a couple times an hour.

I'm happy about it. Maybe this will help me find my keys sometime in the future.

 

[Doppel]

Most people just don't care about privacy, they are too lazy/ignorant to care about--oh look, snazzy new app where do I click I AGREE?

 

[Thump553]

For you techies, what is an ordinary citizen very concerned about privacy but not a criminal to do? Using burner phones is just a tad bit over the top (besides I saw The Wire episode where the cops got around that). Do non-smart phones track your location?

 

[airdata]

Buy a trac phone.

If you plan on murdering somebody, leave your iphone 4 at home and make some calls to it from the trac phone during the drive to dump the body.

Thank me later.

 

[Capt Caveman]

For you techies, what is an ordinary citizen very concerned about privacy but not a criminal to do? Using burner phones is just a tad bit over the top (besides I saw The Wire episode where the cops got around that). Do non-smart phones track your location?

Any phone that has your personal information associated to it, can be tracked - landline and/or cell phone. Same as your credit card, if you pay tolls with a transponder, etc...

 

[Thump553]

Any phone that has your personal information associated to it, can be tracked - landline and/or cell phone. Same as your credit card, if you pay tolls with a transponder, etc...

I place a high priority on privacy and prefer to keep myself out of all tracking reasonably possible. I use cash only for any purchase that might be considered personal and cash only for tolls. (BTW it is almost routine for toll transponder records to be subpeoned in divorce cases-nice to have documentation of hubby's apparent date on a night he testifies he was working late in the office).

Landlines still have a high degree of privacy, at least the wired ones, under prior Supreme Court rulings.

So you are saying bottom line is there is no reasonable way to prevent third party/government tracking if you have any sort of cellphone at all (outside of a throw away)? Sad state of affairs if that is true.

 

[werepossum]

For you techies, what is an ordinary citizen very concerned about privacy but not a criminal to do? Using burner phones is just a tad bit over the top (besides I saw The Wire episode where the cops got around that). Do non-smart phones track your location?

I'm no techie, at least for phones, but all phones have this capability. Usually it's a service, you have to pay money to have the phone's location tracked, otherwise it's merely some data buried in huge tracts of like data and only accessible with a lot of work and hopefully a warrant. The problems with the iphone are that you cannot easily opt out, and the information is stored on the phone where it can be hacked. I believe it's also more precise (i.e. more data points) than a typical ping-based phone's records, which are just records of the phone periodically saying "Here I am!" in case the system needs to contact it rather than a continuous record of location. Not something I worry about, but YMMV.

There are legitimate reasons for Apple (or AT&T, or Verizon) to be mining this data, by the way. While you are merely one infinitesimal pile of data, in aggregate we're all a useful predictive tool for all manner of things. By storing the data in the phone and presumably mining it incrementally, Apple learns useful things like where a new tower might most profitably go, what flavor of wireless would be most useful to its customers, what speeds might be possible with those wireless protocols, what areas are experiencing poor reception compared to the theoretical performance. I wouldn't be surprised if the apps to use this data haven't even been written yet. To most of us, this will never be a concern.

EDIT: Actually, considering the number of divorces and the potential usefulness of this information in divorce cases, I retract my claim. Depending on how the courts rule in future cases, this might be a concern to a good number of people. Even if a divorce attorney can't use the information in court, having it would make his job a LOT easier to provide adultery or some similar malfeasance. So if you're going to have an affair or kill your neighbor, Wilbur, leave your phone at work.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I place a high priority on privacy and prefer to keep myself out of all tracking reasonably possible. I use cash only for any purchase that might be considered personal and cash only for tolls. (BTW it is almost routine for toll transponder records to be subpeoned in divorce cases-nice to have documentation of hubby's apparent date on a night he testifies he was working late in the office).

Landlines still have a high degree of privacy, at least the wired ones, under prior Supreme Court rulings.

So you are saying bottom line is there is no reasonable way to prevent third party/government tracking if you have any sort of cellphone at all (outside of a throw away)? Sad state of affairs if that is true.

It's the technology. Anytime you place a phone call, the service provider knows what transmission tower connected to your cell phone. With triangulation, they can pinpoint your location more specifically(not as great as with GPS).

 

[Capt Caveman]

I'm no techie, at least for phones, but all phones have this capability. Usually it's a service, you have to pay money to have the phone's location tracked, otherwise it's merely some data buried in huge tracts of like data and only accessible with a lot of work and hopefully a warrant. The problems with the iphone are that you cannot easily opt out, and the information is stored on the phone where it can be hacked.

Actually, it's as easy to opt-out with an iPhone as there is with Andriod or any other phone. All you need to do is turn-off Location Services. Basically, two touches on your screen to turn it off.

The only real issue is that it's unencrypted on the phone itself(backups on one's pc can be encrypted). So, if someone stole your phone, they could gain access to the file.

 

[werepossum]

Actually, it's as easy to opt-out with an iPhone as there is with Andriod or any other phone. All you need to do is turn-off Location Services. Basically, two touches on your screen to turn it off.

The only real issue is that it's unencrypted on the phone itself(backups on one's pc can be encrypted). So, if someone stole your phone, they could gain access to the file.

Ah, I stand corrected. I thought it was difficult to opt out.

 

[xj0hnx]

ATT Go Phone, pay cash for refill cards, done.

 

[Kev]

So what exactly am I supposed to be worried about here, given the fact that I'm not a criminal and am not cheating on my significant other?

 

[William Gaatjes]

They already have that first app, as Verizon offered us the chance to have a record of exactly where each phone goes. Mostly people use them to keep up with children, i.e. did little Susie actually go the the library, or did she go to a rave downtown? It sometimes has some amusing consequences, if people forget the limitations and inaccuracies of cell tower GPS and wonder why little Susie spent a hour on a freeway instead of a block away where she SAID she was going.

I suspect someone is working feverishly on the second as well.

With your information , i would say the cheating app can be used as long as the cheater and his/her lover are meeting at a location close to an allowed location.

Or just turn of the phone and use a cheap prepaid one with a prepaid card you paid for in cash with money you exchanged a few times in random shops by paying for food or just some drink and paying with a 100 dollar bill a few times. Disposing of the phone and card will leave you pretty invisible then.
Only cameras can track you then. And no, i do not cheat. I have watched some criminal movies lately.

But your example is a positive side of knowing about the location of loved ones.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Still tracking while off.

 

[rudeguy]

So what exactly am I supposed to be worried about here, given the fact that I'm not a criminal and am not cheating on my significant other?

not a thing

Location based services are what people have been wanting, so its what has been delivered. The ones complaining the most are the ones who don't use the services. Those of us that use these services regularly like the benefits and don't have a problem with someone storing my location.

Just please...please help me find me keys when I lose them!

(PS. I just used Google's location service to find out where my son is. It worked great and I'm happy its available)