Apple tells China it doesn't monitor iPhone users' locations
Apple has responded to a state-run Chinese media outlet's claim that the iPhone's Frequent Locations feature is a potential national security threat, saying that data gathered by the feature is stored only on an individual's device and is not scooped up by Apple and that the company has "never worked with any government agency...to create a backdoor" into its products.The statement follows a national broadcast Friday on China Central Television that said data collected by the Frequent Locations feature could reveal the entire country's economic status and "even state secrets." It's clearly an effort to reassure the government and people of China, a country that Apple CEO Tim Cook has consistently said is his company's second most important market, behind the US.On its support website, Apple describes the Frequent Locations feature like so: "Your iPhone will keep track of places you have recently been, as well as how often and when you visited them, in order to learn places that are significant to you. This data is kept solely on your device and won't be sent to Apple without your consent. It will be used to provide you with personalized services, such as predictive traffic routing."In its statement today, the company stresses that users can switch the feature on and off at will and reiterates that the data is kept on an individual's device and not collected by Apple."Our customers want and expect their mobile devices to be able to quickly and reliably determine their current locations for specific activities such as shopping, travel, finding the nearest restaurant or calculating the amount of time it takes them to get to work," the statement says. "We do this at the device level. Apple does not track users' locations -- Apple has never done so and has no plans to ever do so."And the statement adds later that "Frequent Locations are only stored on a customer's iOS device, they are not backed up on iTunes or iCloud, and are encrypted. Apple does not obtain or know a user's Frequent Locations and this feature can always be turned 'Off' via our privacy settings."Finally, the statement says "Apple has never worked with any government agency from any country to create a backdoor in any of our products or services. We have also never allowed access to our servers. And we never will. It's something we feel very strongly about."Over the last several years, China and the United States have been fighting a not-so-secret cyberwar. Location-aware features have long been a concern for privacy advocates, but China has claimed such features are evidence that American companies are cooperating with the US government programs to monitor China.It's possible, though not confirmed, that this CCTV report was retaliation for American officials on Thursday saying Chinese hackers broke into US computer networks that house the personal information of federal employees. China often responds to US accusations of cyberspying by taking aim at American tech companies. Apple, Cisco, Google, IBM, and Microsoft are just a few of the tech companies to get caught in the crossfire.Here's today's statement from Apple in full: Your Location PrivacyApple is deeply committed to protecting the privacy of all our customers. Privacy is built into our products and services from the earliest stages of design. We work tirelessly to deliver the most secure hardware and software in the world. Unlike many companies, our business does not depend on collecting large amounts of personal data about our customers. We are strongly committed to giving our customers clear and transparent notice, choice and control over their information, and we believe our products do this in a simple and elegant way.We appreciate CCTV's effort to help educate customers on a topic we think is very important. We want to make sure all of our customers in China are clear about what we do and we don't do when it comes to privacy and your personal data.Our customers want and expect their mobile devices to be able to quickly and reliably determine their current locations for specific activities such as shopping, travel, finding the nearest restaurant or calculating the amount of time it takes them to get to work. We do this at the device level. Apple does not track users' locations - Apple has never done so and has no plans to ever do so.Calculating a phone's location using just GPS satellite data can take several minutes. iPhone can reduce this time to just a few seconds by using pre-stored WLAN hotspot and cell tower location data in combination with information about which hotspots and cell towers are currently being received by the iPhone. In order to accomplish this goal, Apple maintains a secure crowd-sourced database containing known locations of cell towers and WLAN hotspots that Apple collects from millions of Apple devices. It's important to point out that during this collection process, an Apple device does not transmit any data that is uniquely associated with the device or the customer.Apple gives customers control over collection and use of location data on all our devices. Customers have to make the choice to enable Location Services, it is not a default setting. Apple does not allow any app to receive device location information without first receiving the user's explicit consent through a simple pop-up alert. This alert is mandatory and cannot be overridden. Customers may change their mind and opt-out of Location Services for individual apps or services at any time by using simple "On/Off" switches. When a user turns "Off" location data for an app or service, it stops collecting the data. Parents can also use Restrictions to prevent access by their children to Location Services.When it comes to using iPhone for traffic conditions, iOS can capture Frequent Locations to provide commute information in the Today view of Notification Center and to show you automatic routing for iOS in CarPlay. Frequent Locations are only stored on a customer's iOS device, they are not backed up on iTunes or iCloud, and are encrypted. Apple does not obtain or know a user's Frequent Locations and this feature can always be turned "Off" via our privacy settings.Apple does not have access to Frequent Locations or the location cache on any user's iPhone at any time. We encrypt the cache by the user's passcode and it is protected from access by any app. In the interest of even greater transparency for our customers, if a user enters their passcode successfully, they are able to see the data collected on their device. Once the device is locked no one is able to view that information without entering the passcode.As we have stated before, Apple has never worked with any government agency from any country to create a backdoor in any of our products or services. We have also never allowed access to our servers. And we never will. It's something we feel very strongly about.Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas.
Microsoft puts its 'signature' on PCs
Microsoft puts its 'signature' on PCs
Although Microsoft isn't making its own PCs, the software maker is taking an active role in customizing just what goes on the computers it sells through its online and retail stores.In its new role as PC retailer, Microsoft is loading computers with what it's calling its Microsoft Signature experience--a collection of Microsoft products, including the complete Windows Live suite, Security Essentials antivirus product, Zune jukebox, and Bing 3D Maps software, as well as Adobe's Flash and Acrobat Reader products. Internet Explorer 8 is the browser, with Bing as its default search provider.Graphic by Ina Fried/CNET NewsThe computers are being sold at Microsoft's two retail stores--the Scottsdale, Ariz., store that opened last week and the Mission Viejo, Calif., outlet that is opening later on Thursday. The software giant is also selling PCs throughout the U.S. via its online Microsoft Store.The goal of the Signature effort is to give customers what Microsoft feels is the best software experience they can have on a PC. "Signature gives them a PC that is ready to run," Microsoft retail unit chief technology strategist Kevin Eagan said in an interview. "We think we're really unlocking the potential of Windows 7."Microsoft isn't completely deciding what goes on the system. Computer makers can also add software that takes advantage of particular hardware features, but it's not allowing any trialware or "crapware." "Much like other retailers would define (what goes on their PCs), we do the same working closely with our (computer maker) partners," Eagan said.As part of the in-store experience, Microsoft staffers will also help customers install other software they might want--even competitor's products, such as Apple's iTunes. They can also change their browser or default search provider before they leave the store, Eagan said."We want to give customers what they are asking for, so they leave store 100 percent satisfied," Eagan said.Eagan said Microsoft is just taking advantage of the customization options that other retailers also have available to them and said the company doesn't anticipate any regulatory concerns."We're absolutely confident that what we've done is added another choice for customers," he said. "We think expanded choice is good for customers."Those who already have a PC, but live near one of Microsoft's stores, can bring in their PC and have the Microsoft Security Essentials software added at no charge.
Although Microsoft isn't making its own PCs, the software maker is taking an active role in customizing just what goes on the computers it sells through its online and retail stores.In its new role as PC retailer, Microsoft is loading computers with what it's calling its Microsoft Signature experience--a collection of Microsoft products, including the complete Windows Live suite, Security Essentials antivirus product, Zune jukebox, and Bing 3D Maps software, as well as Adobe's Flash and Acrobat Reader products. Internet Explorer 8 is the browser, with Bing as its default search provider.Graphic by Ina Fried/CNET NewsThe computers are being sold at Microsoft's two retail stores--the Scottsdale, Ariz., store that opened last week and the Mission Viejo, Calif., outlet that is opening later on Thursday. The software giant is also selling PCs throughout the U.S. via its online Microsoft Store.The goal of the Signature effort is to give customers what Microsoft feels is the best software experience they can have on a PC. "Signature gives them a PC that is ready to run," Microsoft retail unit chief technology strategist Kevin Eagan said in an interview. "We think we're really unlocking the potential of Windows 7."Microsoft isn't completely deciding what goes on the system. Computer makers can also add software that takes advantage of particular hardware features, but it's not allowing any trialware or "crapware." "Much like other retailers would define (what goes on their PCs), we do the same working closely with our (computer maker) partners," Eagan said.As part of the in-store experience, Microsoft staffers will also help customers install other software they might want--even competitor's products, such as Apple's iTunes. They can also change their browser or default search provider before they leave the store, Eagan said."We want to give customers what they are asking for, so they leave store 100 percent satisfied," Eagan said.Eagan said Microsoft is just taking advantage of the customization options that other retailers also have available to them and said the company doesn't anticipate any regulatory concerns."We're absolutely confident that what we've done is added another choice for customers," he said. "We think expanded choice is good for customers."Those who already have a PC, but live near one of Microsoft's stores, can bring in their PC and have the Microsoft Security Essentials software added at no charge.
Apple's streaming music service could debut in 2013 -- analyst
Apple's streaming music service could debut in 2013 -- analyst
Apple could soon take on Pandora and Spotify directly, market-research firm BTIG Research writes in a new report.The firm today predicts that Apple will launch a streaming-music service at some point in 2013. The research outfit, which says that it came to the conclusion after holding interviews with industry executives, said Apple's iTunes 11 launch yesterday is only further proof the service is coming.BTIG pointed to the addition of a "Radio" option in the horizontal bar in iTunes 11, saying that while the current offering of stations "is unappealing to most consumers today, we believe the radio service can easily be updated...."BTIG has been saying for months that a music-streaming service it calls "iRadio" is in the works. In a blog post last month, the research firm said that it's possible Apple's offering will trump that of Pandora's.We expect Apple's iRadio to be vastly superior to Pandora because Apple is unwilling to settle for compulsory music licenses. Instead, expect iRadio to seek direct deals with labels at premium rates enabling iRadio to offer a superior feature set including a global solution (sites like Pandora are limited to the US), increased skips (compulsory licenses limit skips to six/hour) and maybe most importantly, extended caching so that wireless dead-zones are no longer a problem whether driving, flying or underground.It's been about three years since Apple acquired Lala, a streaming-music site. Soon after, the company closed that operation, leading many to wonder if Apple would ever get into the streaming business. Last year, speculation started up again after Apple filed for a patent on streaming music. Once again, the company remained tight-lipped on the topic and the rumors died down.Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Despite that, Apple has reportedly continued working on a streaming service. In September, it was reportedly planning to unveil the streaming service at the company's iPhone 5 launch event. But according to a report at that time, Apple's negotiations with Sony/ATV hit a snag, forcing the iPhone maker to push back its debut.BTIG doesn't know exactly when Apple might finally launch its music service, but the research firm says that it's likely that the service will be available in the first half of next year.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on "iRadio." We will update this story when we have more information.
Apple could soon take on Pandora and Spotify directly, market-research firm BTIG Research writes in a new report.The firm today predicts that Apple will launch a streaming-music service at some point in 2013. The research outfit, which says that it came to the conclusion after holding interviews with industry executives, said Apple's iTunes 11 launch yesterday is only further proof the service is coming.BTIG pointed to the addition of a "Radio" option in the horizontal bar in iTunes 11, saying that while the current offering of stations "is unappealing to most consumers today, we believe the radio service can easily be updated...."BTIG has been saying for months that a music-streaming service it calls "iRadio" is in the works. In a blog post last month, the research firm said that it's possible Apple's offering will trump that of Pandora's.We expect Apple's iRadio to be vastly superior to Pandora because Apple is unwilling to settle for compulsory music licenses. Instead, expect iRadio to seek direct deals with labels at premium rates enabling iRadio to offer a superior feature set including a global solution (sites like Pandora are limited to the US), increased skips (compulsory licenses limit skips to six/hour) and maybe most importantly, extended caching so that wireless dead-zones are no longer a problem whether driving, flying or underground.It's been about three years since Apple acquired Lala, a streaming-music site. Soon after, the company closed that operation, leading many to wonder if Apple would ever get into the streaming business. Last year, speculation started up again after Apple filed for a patent on streaming music. Once again, the company remained tight-lipped on the topic and the rumors died down.Related storiesDialed in 110: Lessons for Android (podcast)The 404 Podcast 498: Where Jeff battles the TriadBuzz Out Loud Podcast 1145: China to Google: Suck itNutsie brings iTunes to Android via the cloudThe Real Deal 193: Road Test - CES edition (podcast)Despite that, Apple has reportedly continued working on a streaming service. In September, it was reportedly planning to unveil the streaming service at the company's iPhone 5 launch event. But according to a report at that time, Apple's negotiations with Sony/ATV hit a snag, forcing the iPhone maker to push back its debut.BTIG doesn't know exactly when Apple might finally launch its music service, but the research firm says that it's likely that the service will be available in the first half of next year.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on "iRadio." We will update this story when we have more information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)