Germany says wants clarity on iPhone data storage

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BERLIN | Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:38am EDT

BERLIN (Reuters) - Apple Inc must clear up "a string of open questions" about user data stored by its iPhone, iPad, and other devices, a spokesman for Germany's consumer protection ministry said on Thursday.

The call follows a similar request made by U.S. Senator Al Franken on Wednesday, which cited a report by security researchers alleging the company's iOS4 operating system secretly compiled customers' location data in a hidden file.

"Apple must reveal where, for how long, and for what purpose the data is saved, who has access to it, and how it is protecting against unauthorized access," ministry spokesman Holger Eichele said.

"The secret collection and storage of a smart phone's location data would be a major invasion of privacy," he added.

Germany has particularly strong data protection laws, and companies such as social networking site Facebook and search engine Google have faced challenges here from regulators.

A spokesman for Apple Germany declined to comment on the matter.

(Reporting by Brian Rohan, Hans-Edzard Busemann; Editing by Will Waterman)
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Comments (3)
mb56 wrote:
When it comes to personal privacy, Germany does it right… America sucks and is owned by Corporations.

Apr 21, 2011 12:17pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
TomMariner wrote:
Uh-oh! It is one thing when Senator Al Franken writes a letter to Steve Jobs and another when a European nation makes a comment. Apple should review the $billion ransom paid or about to pay by Microsoft, Intel and Google on some grievous pseudo-transgression. It’s the same — a huge American tech company, and Europe needing cash to help cure the results of their great fiscal management.

So Apple shareholders, get ready for an “extraordinary $billion item” on the balance sheet and those of you in Europe … congrats on your windfall.

Apr 21, 2011 12:37pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
bogwart wrote:
@ TomMariner. What on earth are you on about? Our fiscal state is due to the shenagigans of Wall Street. But unlike you we are doing things to cure the problem.

And as far as the “windfall” is concerned how do you read into the article any mention of litigation? We don’t sue at the drop of a hat, and the Germans especially are concerned with privacy issues, not making money.

You’re the ones with the failed state, matey, not us.

Apr 21, 2011 2:08pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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