Loophole Allows Mobile Carriers to Trace iPhone Customer Movements
With the dust yet to settle regarding recent allegations of hidden iPhone files with the potential to record the every move of the user, it has come to light that such is far from the only way the movements of mobile phone users are being monitored. Alongside the data collection practices of Apple, Google and other such companies, mobile carriers are also known to keep details accounts of customer movements, based on data recorded by telecom towers used to connect the phone in question. Such is likely to come as rather stark news to consumer groups, already concerned with the level of data held by what is a largely unregulated industry.
Federal law in the United States strictly limits exactly how the data collected by mobile carriers directly from their customers can be used, in line with sensible data protection practices. In short, such information cannot be shared with any other party without the express consent of the user. However, such laws do not apply to mobile operating systems providers such as Google and Apple, just as they do not cover mobile marketing agencies or app developers.
Though continually keen to increase the amount of data held on their users, such companies are perpetually reluctant to disclose any indication as to how they intend to use it. While it largely suspected across the board that should would be used primarily for sales and marketing purposes, others fear customer movements may be sold to other agencies, such as insurers, which may ultimately affect prospective customer premiums or potential for acceptance.
Other stories our readers have found helpful:
