New Revelations of Google, Apple Smartphone Data Snooping Show Need For Do Not Track Me Legislation, Consumer Watchdog Says

Press Release

New Revelations of Google, Apple Smartphone Data Snooping Show Need For Do Not Track Me Legislation, Consumer Watchdog Says

CONTACT: John M. Simpson , 310-392-7041; or cell: 310-292-1902

Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 11:55 am

New Revelations of Google, Apple Smartphone Data Snooping Show Need For Do Not Track Me Legislation, Consumer Watchdog Says

SANTA MONICA, CA – New details of how tech giants Google and Apple spy on users of their smartphones demonstrate the need for Do Not Track Me legislation that would cover mobile devices, Consumer Watchdog said today.

A Wall Street Journal article today revealed that Apple’s iPhones and Google’s Android smartphones regularly transmit their locations back to the respective companies. They also gather information on Wi-Fi networks near the smartphones and transmit that data to the companies’ databases as well.

Earlier this week it was revealed that iPhones and iPads collect geolocation data and store it in an unencrypted file on the devices.

“These aren’t smartphones; they are spy phones,” said John M. Simpson, director of the nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest group’s Privacy Project. “Consumers must have the right to control whether their data is gathered and how it is used.”

The Federal Trade Commission’s report, “Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change,” proposed a Do Not Track mechanism last December. Since then Rep. Jackie Speier, D-CA, has introduced HR 654, the Do Not Track Me Online Act.

In California Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, has introduced SB 761, a bill that would establish a Do Not Track mechanism for companies doing business in California.

A “Do Not Track” mechanism is a method that allows a consumer to send a clear, unambiguous message that one’s online activities should not be tracked. Recipients of the message would be required to honor it.

“The mobile world is the wild west of the Internet where these tech giants seem to think anything goes,” said Simpson. “Consumers need the same sort of strong privacy protections whether they go online via a wired device or a mobile device.”

- 30 -

Consumer Watchdog, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer advocacy organization with offices in Washington, DC and Santa Monica, CA. Consumer Watchdog’s website is www.ConsumerWatchdog.org. Visit our new Google Privacy and Accountability Project website: http://insidegoogle.com.

advertising, business model, corporateering, Do Not Track, don't be evil, FTC, lack of transparency, legislation, Privacy, reform, security, smart phone

This post was written by:

John M. Simpson - who has written 316 posts on Inside Google.

John M. Simpson is a leading voice on technological privacy and stem cell research issues. His investigations this year of Google’s online privacy practices and book publishing agreements triggered intense media scrutiny and federal interest in the online giant’s business practices. His critique of patents on human embryonic stem cells has been key to expanding the ability of American scientists to conduct stem cell research. He has ensured that California’s taxpayer-funded stem cell research will lead to broadly accessible and affordable medicine and not just government-subsidized profiteering. Prior to joining Consumer Watchdog in 2005, he was executive editor of Tribune Media Services International, a syndication company. Before that, he was deputy editor of USA Today and editor of its international edition. Simpson taught journalism a Dublin City University in Ireland, and consulted for The Irish Times and The Gleaner in Jamaica. He served as president of the World Editors Forum. He holds a B.A. in philosophy from Harpur College of SUNY Binghamton and was a Gannett Fellow at the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies at the University of Hawaii. He has an M.A. in Communication Management from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication.

Contact the author

Inside Google

Press Release