Image by clintonjeff via FlickrAfter Google and Apple now Microsoft has admitted that Windows Phone 7 tracks users locations.Microsoft revealed that it collects data such as the signal strength, the radio type, and if GPS is available also logs latitude, longitude, direction and speed and also the BSSID, which is the MAC address of the device.
Microsoft said it does not collect information sent over private, non-protected wireless networks. It said that its software specifically only picks up publicly broadcast data from WiFi access points and that packets sent over encrypted or unencrypted networks remain safe from its location tracking.
They reassured customers that it does not collect emails, passwords or similar information from open networks. It also does not monitor devices connected to access points, nor the SSID name of an access point, which could reveal the identiy of the user since many people name their networks with personal information.
Microsoft said that it does not share the data with mobile operators.
Microsoft also stressed that users can turn off this location tracking feature
Many of these questions are likely to be similar to those asked by US lawmakers recently as they probe Microsoft and a number of other companies about their location tracking policies. The fact that Microsoft is publishing the information for all to see might go down well with investigators, as the company apparently is tackling the problem head on.
15 commentaires:
really helpful blog! following for more tech-knowhow
I didn't know about this. My Windows Phone, it knows where I live.
Always been nervous about privacy when it comes to smart phones :[]
yeah, i'm still using my old flip phone, and i'm pretty sure they can still hear me unless i take the battery out...
1984, anybody?
I guess only Apple and Google are at it!
There's probably a lot more stuff going on that we don't know about but it doesn't really affect us. I don't mind if my phone tracks where I am.
I am so glad I have a simple phone. That's all this post told me. Be thankful you have a simple phone. At least compared to today's standards.
wow. im glad i dont have these new high tech phones
i got a crappy metro pcs phone, at least it doesnt follow me everywhere.
big brother(s)
we has dem
Well, this information would only really be an invasion of privacy if the phone OS doesn't take off. If it does, then it's just a huge mass of information that nobody could really look through and make any sense of - so computer programs will have to create aggregate data reports off of it. Let's hope Nokia does well when they release those phones!
At least microsoft lets people know there's a way to turn it off.
that's good you can turn it off... aye aye aye
i never hear of the windows phone, oh shit!
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