Technology and Privacy

[GostHacked]

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/04/21/apple-google-receive-phone-users-locations/

Apple's iPhones and Google's Android smartphones regularly transmit their locations back to Apple and Google, respectively, according to data and documents analyzed by The Wall Street Journal -- intensifying concerns over privacy and the widening trade in personal data.

I am sure entities like RIM also track things through their phones. I know they have the ability to wipe the handset remotely even if the device is off. So how do we balance using technology with keeping our privacy intact? Do you like the idea that you can easily be tracked for any purpose. Identity theft is easily done this way. The phones track and upload info to the servers, someone hacks into the servers and then gains access to all the information. Some of us willingly put info online, but this is without your consent or for the most part without your knowledge.

I am sure some of you are aware that this can and does happen. Sure the line goes, well if you are not doing anything wrong, then what is the problem?

Thoughts?

[Shady]

I think this is much ado about nothing. Using location is essential in providing the strongest signal to whichever device, depending on where you are. And in this case, the location isn't pin point, as it's not using GPS. The particular file in question isn't hidden, as it's used for several applications. I guess the biggest concern would be losing or having a device stolen. But even then, I'm not sure it's a big deal.

[TimG]

I guess the biggest concern would be losing or having a device stolen. But even then, I'm not sure it's a big deal.

Some police have been using the DB in their investigations since the iPhone4 came out. I think it is a serious concern.

[Shady]

Some police have been using the DB in their investigations since the iPhone4 came out. I think it is a serious concern.

How so? And this has been part of the iPhone for long before the iPhone 4. In fact, Apple took the file in question out of it's library folder and made it more visible in the new iOS.

[Handsome Rob]

Simple. Don't buy a Walled Garden spyPhone.

Buy a capable smartphone, and put a firewall on it or use iptables. With the ports closed, nobody can take any information.

[GostHacked]

Simple. Don't buy a Walled Garden spyPhone.

Buy a capable smartphone, and put a firewall on it or use iptables. With the ports closed, nobody can take any information.

I can try to set up my Blackberry that way, but RIM always has a back door option on the phone. No matter what I do. And really how many people know how to lock down their home computers, let alone a cell phone. Because I get the question when I raise this issue up. The question being, 'what is a port??!?!?!?'.

All cell phone providers, all smartphones have this ability. All of them.

[Handsome Rob]

I think this is much ado about nothing. Using location is essential in providing the strongest signal to whichever device, depending on where you are. And in this case, the location isn't pin point, as it's not using GPS. The particular file in question isn't hidden, as it's used for several applications. I guess the biggest concern would be losing or having a device stolen. But even then, I'm not sure it's a big deal.

The mapping technology the folks wrote reverse-engineered the apple software. There is nothing to say that the actual data being read properly isn't a good deal more accurate. Imagine potential uses like police, wives with cheating husbands, marketing data for retailers....

Shouldn't Apple disclose the collection of such personal data? Why would they think not to?

[GostHacked]

How so? And this has been part of the iPhone for long before the iPhone 4. In fact, Apple took the file in question out of it's library folder and made it more visible in the new iOS.

So now they are just saying openly they track you and your info. Instead of being sneaky about it. To me that still does not make it okay.

[bush_cheney2004]

Some police have been using the DB in their investigations since the iPhone4 came out. I think it is a serious concern.

Police departments and the Feds have recently been using cell phone and PDA data extraction devices for routine investigations and forensics. The Cellebrite UFED is just one of the more popular tools currently in use:

http://www.geekosystem.com/cellebrite-cellphone-hacker/

[Handsome Rob]

I can try to set up my Blackberry that way, but RIM always has a back door option on the phone. No matter what I do. And really how many people know how to lock down their home computers, let alone a cell phone. Because I get the question when I raise this issue up. The question being, 'what is a port??!?!?!?'.

All cell phone providers, all smartphones have this ability. All of them.

Applications access the net through ports. Pop3 Email fetches mail through port 143. Remote Desktops work through port 3389. SMTP sends email through port 25.

Think of them like channels on a television. Except there are thousands.

Install a firewall, and you can block every one not in use, including OS data collection. Games with ads, block the internet connection and no more ads. Is it possible on a Bberry? Not sure I don't use one. Probably on a jailbroken spyPhone.

[Shady]

The mapping technology the folks wrote reverse-engineered the apple software. There is nothing to say that the actual data being read properly isn't a good deal more accurate. Imagine potential uses like police, wives with cheating husbands, marketing data for retailers....

Shouldn't Apple disclose the collection of such personal data? Why would they think not to?

What personal data? Like I said, it doesn't using GPS, so your particular location is only for a general area. It's not as though it provides checkout 5 at Lowblaw's. And it certainly can't tell what items you're purchasing.

Some of you have vivid imaginations.

[GostHacked]

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/04/22/apple-google-location-advertising/

Here is another problem with all this. All about advertising. Advertising you can't seem to escape from.

[GostHacked]

Applications access the net through ports. Pop3 Email fetches mail through port 143. Remote Desktops work through port 3389. SMTP sends email through port 25.

Think of them like channels on a television. Except there are thousands.

Install a firewall, and you can block every one not in use, including OS data collection. Games with ads, block the internet connection and no more ads. Is it possible on a Bberry? Not sure I don't use one. Probably on a jailbroken spyPhone.

All that can be done on a PC no doubt, I've been dealing with computers for 15 years and professionaly for about 8 years now. But unless you know a lot about the phone OS, you are going to have a hard or impossible time locking that down. And again no matter how much you lock it down, the cell phones are still going to receive the info the company wants to push on you.

[GostHacked]

What personal data? Like I said, it doesn't using GPS, so your particular location is only for a general area. It's not as though it provides checkout 5 at Lowblaw's. And it certainly can't tell what items you're purchasing.

Some of you have vivid imaginations.

It does use GPS. 99% of smartphones have built in GPS. When you take a pic on your iPhone or any other smartphone, there is meta data included in the picture that will reveal your location. There is an app on the iPhone where you can track your friends as well, and that definately uses GPS and cell tower triangulation. The GPS can nail down your area, within a 20 foot radius of your location. So yeah, it can tell at least that you are in the checkout line at the grocery store.

Also pay with your debit or credit card? The only way for them to not know what you are buying is by paying in cash, otherwise yeah, they do know what you are buying.

Edited April 22, 2011 by GostHacked

[Handsome Rob]

All that can be done on a PC no doubt, I've been dealing with computers for 15 years and professionaly for about 8 years now. But unless you know a lot about the phone OS, you are going to have a hard or impossible time locking that down. And again no matter how much you lock it down, the cell phones are still going to receive the info the company wants to push on you.

A smartphone is a personal computer. Heck my smartphone is far and away more capable than my 4 year old netbook.

Android ships with a firewall built right into the linux kernel, iptables. Can be set up using a terminal if you know what you're doing, but lots of apps available to provide a GUI.

Jailbroken Iphone firewall:

http://isource.com/2009/11/05/firewall-ip-a-firewall-app-for-the-iphone/

Will it block OS connections? I don't know if it is that mature. Lack of multitasking kind of made the point moot. But it will mature.

Blackberry I don't think it would be possible. Too integrated.

The point is, if you want to take control of your device, you have to take all of it and move outside the walled garden.

[Handsome Rob]

What personal data? Like I said, it doesn't using GPS, so your particular location is only for a general area.

You don't know that. What they were able to extract and present, doesn't appear to use GPS. US Congress is asking questions now, should be interesting what comes out of it. Look what happened to google with WiFi usage for streetview, this is far worse.

It's not as though it provides checkout 5 at Lowblaw's. And it certainly can't tell what items you're purchasing.

Hey, the bay. You ran a bay days sale Mar 18-21, and 35% more Iphone users showed up. Sounds like success. April 18-21, not so much. We'll measure your consumer base for a small fee of $XXX,XXX.XX

[GostHacked]

A smartphone is a personal computer. Heck my smartphone is far and away more capable than my 4 year old netbook.

Android ships with a firewall built right into the linux kernel, iptables. Can be set up using a terminal if you know what you're doing, but lots of apps available to provide a GUI.

Jailbroken Iphone firewall:

http://isource.com/2009/11/05/firewall-ip-a-firewall-app-for-the-iphone/

Will it block OS connections? I don't know if it is that mature. Lack of multitasking kind of made the point moot. But it will mature.

Blackberry I don't think it would be possible. Too integrated.

The point is, if you want to take control of your device, you have to take all of it and move outside the walled garden.

How many people are willing to do that? How many people really understand the technology to the point where they can lock it down? Hard enough for windows users, and harder yet for someone who does not know anything about a unix type OS.

[Handsome Rob]

How many people are willing to do that? How many people really understand the technology to the point where they can lock it down? Hard enough for windows users, and harder yet for someone who does not know anything about a unix type OS.

They said much the same thing about personal computers 30 years ago. People learned. Enterprising tech companies started writing software like anti-virus applications that were easy to install and use. Look at how technology oriented the coming generations are.

Smartphones are going through a remarkably similar maturing phase.

[GostHacked]

They said much the same thing about personal computers 30 years ago. People learned. Enterprising tech companies started writing software like anti-virus applications that were easy to install and use. Look at how technology oriented the coming generations are.

It's because most of that stuff is now automated software with your PC. People don't really have to know or want to know because the computer just fixes itself for the most part.

Smartphones are going through a remarkably similar maturing phase.

But all this is besides the point. The phone companies and the makers of the smartphones can and do invade your privacy. That is a problem.