Surely you've been following the iPhone-tracks-your-location-data story in recent weeks. As of today, the Wall Street Journal is the latest large outlet to cover the story of security experts Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden's study of what location data the device stores about where users go, on what dates. The visual maps generated by their iPhone Tracker app show location data breadcrumbs that go back months. Many iPhone owners are so horrified by this apparent breach of privacy, they've been moved to the drastic measure of posting the data on their Facebook pages.
MacRumors has published what is alleged to be one of those characteristically concise email from Steve Jobs, in which the Apple CEO appears to respond to the controversy with three points, in three sentences:
Q: Steve,
Could you please explain the necessity of the passive location-tracking tool embedded in my iPhone? It's kind of unnerving knowing that my exact location is being recorded at all times. Maybe you could shed some light on this for me before I switch to a Droid. They don't track me.
A: Oh yes they do. We don't track anyone. The info circulating around is false.
Sent from my iPhone
Apple has not confirmed the email. But, let's imagine it's legit: what does it all mean? Read more at MacRumors.
