I posted earlier on iPhone tracking users location using the location services. Apple has recently released an update, iOS 4.3.3 which reduces the size of the cache file, This means that, iPhone will not store our location data anymore and will not sync this location information with the computer we use to sync our phone with. Apple has also released a Q&A page to explain why Apple is collecting location data. This can be accessed by clicking here.
Apple said that the iOS 4.3.3 contains changes to the iOS cloud based location statistics including the following;
- Reduces the size of the cache
- No longer backs the cache up to iTunes
- Deletes the cache entirely when Location Services is turned off
Products compatible with this software update:
- iPhone 4 (GSM model)
- iPhone 3GS
- iPad 2
- iPad
- iPod touch (4th generation)
- iPod touch (3rd generation)
The update can be downloaded from iTune. Updating is very easy, just connect your iPhone to the computer you usually sync with, and iTune will prompt with the update.
The following video shows the Senate panel questioning executives from Apple and Google about why iPhones and other smart phones running Google’s Android software store location data that can be used to track where their owners have been.