[Macworld]

Post your comments for iPhone revealed to track, log users' locations here

[JScott]

What the hell?! This is just creepy. I know I'll be writing Mr. Jobs an email asking for an explanation.

[redgeminipa]

Very interesting. I'm scratching my head on a few locations, but seems about right.

[Danielsw]

Let's see how far this can get blown out of proportion--in advance of an official explanation from Apple, which is bound to come soon.

And what's with all this hoo ha about "privacy"? If you're out and about with your phone, guess what. You can be seen. You can be photographed. Your credit card transactions get recorded. Surveillance cameras record you. That's not private. That's public.

So the phone records your positions. I'd like to learn what the purpose for that is. But it's probably no big deal.

[lightsleeper]

Whoa—whoa—whoa—

Are you telling me that if you give someone access to your password-unprotected computer, they can discover personal information about you?

No. Way.

[tewha]

Err. I've no problem with this, actually. In fact, I find it rather cool and would love to see what my record looks like.

(If only I hadn't dropped my iPhone in a bucket a few months ago; the data would have been really interesting otherwise.)

[ronincali3002]

Backup file happens for iPod touch as well. Does this mean the WiFi data of an iPod (also tracked, according to Mr. Moren) would show the same information?

[tfrogh]

This will be a huge problem for Adulterers, criminals and lying teenagers. For the rest of us honest law abiding citizens, big whoop!

If you are using Filevault and a cryptic password and are diligent about keeping your computer secured this should be a non-issue. I bet there is far more damning material on most people's HDs.

[Jason Snell]

@tewha: Actually, since your backup files are on your computer, even the data from the iPhone in the bucket has been saved.

[PeterG]

If "I" wanted the application then "I'd" prefer to have the choice on whether to load it or NOT.

[Jason Snell]

tfrogh, on 20 April 2011 - 09:37 AM, said:

This will be a huge problem for Adulterers, criminals and lying teenagers. For the rest of us honest law abiding citizens, big whoop!

You could say the same about due process and being innocent until proven guilty, I suppose.

[RichardGronostajski]

Another reason to use an iPod Touch. The App doesn't work with iPod Touch because I believe the file mentioned isn't there.

[bettercitizens]

Apple has got some 'splaining to do. They may be intending to use the data in this hidden file to help tweak iAd services. Why should I give any of MY data to anyone for free? Or at all?

At the bare minimum Apple, Inc. should have told users that this file existed and allowed users to turn off data logging if they so choose.

Over to Steve...

[MarkDMiller]

Unless my iPhone gets up and travels by itself, A LOT of these locations are just plain wrong. :/