SANTA CLARA, Calif. – A new study showed that iPads and iPhones could be tracking users’ movements without their knowledge, using the devices' built-in GPS units.
Many users voluntarily give-up their locations when they use software applications, but researchers said the latest version of Apple's software automatically stores several months’ worth of information.
That information could make users vulnerable to identity theft, according to the study by software developers Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden. Their findings were released at the Where 2.0 Conference in Santa Clara Friday.
“If they're trying to steal your identity for example,” warned CNET.com Senior Writer Maggie Reardon, “if they know your typical patterns, and where you go—the places that you shop—and then they get your credit card number, it's very easy for them to pretend that they're you."
The report suggests Apple could be compiling the data for advertising purposes, but so far the company has not commented on the findings.
