Retrievable iPhone Numbers Lead To Privacy Concerns
mogoRoad, a real-time traffic monitoring application that is available in Switzerland, is the application in question. The calls invite users of the free version to shell out money for the full version. Mogo claims the phone numbers were provided by Apple. After some digging, however, French site Mac 4 Ever has discovered that it is possible, even easy, for an application to retrieve the phone number of an iPhone on which it is installed, even though the user has not entered any personal details into the application.
Apple's iPhone software development kit doesn't provide a built-in way for applications to get information such as a device's phone number, but that information can still be indirectly retrieved with relatively little trouble. Mac 4 Ever claims this functionality (if you can call it that) has been available since iPhone OS 2.1.
Given that most of us don't appreciate telemarketing calls, many users will view this as a serious privacy concern. Apple's privacy policy says the company takes privacy seriously, as it should. But is the company doing enough to protect our information? Certainly many users will agree that Apple should punish any vendor who abuses the information about its customers—whether that information was received legitimately or not.
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Via: Yahoo | News Archive
| Tags:
Apple,
iPhone,
App Store,
security,
Privacy,
SDK,
software development kit
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Comments
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oH NoZE! AppS runN on de iPhone kin r3ad urz config! As opposed to "free" closed source apps for your PC... which could send your IP, MAC, user/company info (+ the rest of the registry), browser history, and any tax forms you left in My Documents. I don't see any big deal in the fact that an iPhone app can read your phone number - That should be expected. The problem is squarely with the company making the app. After all, you wouldn't go screaming to Microsoft if a free e-mail program you downloaded automatically put you on the author's spamvertising list. |
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"I don't see any big deal in the fact that an iPhone app can read your phone number - That should be expected." You have the option to opt out in emails and always deleted, I would be Mad a hell if i get a telemarketing call on my phone... that i didn't request and it was because i downloaded/bought an app for my 3GS. The big deal is this and obviously everyone have their choice, if i didn't gave you permision then you should not do it! that is like my bank running my credit every 6 month w/out my permision just because they are my bank and they have my information they have to request permision... Is a fine line between that is personal or not. I'm a big fan of keeping my personal life to my love one not to strangers. and my number is personal telemarketing company don't pay my phone bill! :) |
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>> The big deal is this and obviously everyone have their choice, if i didn't gave you permision then you should not do it! That's a big deal concerning the behavior of the company, not with the technical capability to retrieve the phone number. Just "opt-out" when they call you, like you do with your e-mails. :) |
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I big Don't F call me :p would be my opt out! :p |
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