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Apple Once Again Sued for Privacy Breaches
Apple, as well as Pandora Media and The Weather Channel, were sued in the U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico for failing to disclose the fact that personal data, specifically location data, were being shared with third party advertising networks.
Each iPhone or iPad contains a unique device identifier (UDID), which is akin to a serial number in that it cannot be changed. Because the UDID is unique to each iPhone and iPad and, unlike a cookie, cannot be deleted, it is an attractive feature for third-party advertisers looking for a reliable method of tracking a mobile device user’s online activities.
One of the focuses of the suit is on Apple, as the maker of the device and the mechanism for running and installing applications, for not letting users control access to this piece of user information. As well, the complaint focuses on the fact that location data is stored across backups and between device migrations in an unencrypted format.
Apple has since addressed some of these claims as part of a software update. As well, Apple states that it intends to fully encrypt that database on the device itself in the next major system software update.
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http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-20061925-248.html#ixzz1MWUnkTFz