Andrew Orr and Jeff Butts join host Kelly Guimont to discuss security news, This Week in Data Breaches, and new uses for Precise Location data.
location data
FBI Document Reveals Guide to Get Location Data From Carriers
An internal document for the FBI reveals how the agency obtains phone location data from carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and others.
Facebook Can Get Location Data From Your Photos
iOS users can limit their location exposure to apps that ask for it, but your location is leaking in another area: Your photo metadata.
I took a photo with my iPhone and then uploaded that to my Facebook account. I used Facebook’s app on my iPhone, the same app that has been told “never” to access my location, the same account that knows I have this switched off. But Facebook still collects the location tag from that photo, along with my IP address.
It’s important to note that Facebook and other companies have had this ability for years. This is not, as the Forbes article implies, a response to iOS 14.5 App Tracking Transparency. The app I use to view and edit metadata is Metapho.
Apple Will Ban ‘X-Mode’ Data Broker From its Platforms
A report from The Wall Street Journal reveals that Apple and Google are banning a data broker called X-Mode from collecting location data from their platforms. (Non-paywalled version here). This is due to X-Mode links to selling data to government contractors involved in national security as Vice reported.
Both Apple and Google disclosed their decision to ban X-Mode to investigators working for Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.), who has been conducting an investigation into the sale of location data to government entities.
Security Friday! News Roundup and Location Data – TMO Daily Observations 2020-10-09
Andrew Orr joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss the latest news for Security Friday, and talk about location data on iOS and why it matters.
IRS Investigated for Location Data Usage Without Warrant
The IRS is being investigated for its use of location data collected from apps without obtaining warrants.
The IRS’ attempts were not successful though, as the people the IRS was looking for weren’t included in the particular Venntel data set, the aide added.
But the IRS still obtained this data without a warrant, and the legal justification for doing so remains unclear. The aide said that the IRS received verbal approval to use the data, but stopped responding to their office’s inquiries.
NSA Publishes Guide to Limit Location Data Exposure
The NSA recently published a guide on how to limit location data exposure on your devices. Direct link to the PDF here.
The guidelines are geared more for government officials, but the advice itself can be useful for those hoping to stop sending so much location data to tech companies, ad firms, or apps that may then expose it later.
It’s a useful guide, albeit strict.
Apple Releases Mobility Data, Replies to Senate – TMO Daily Observations 2020-04-14
Andrew Orr and John Martellaro join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s release of (anonymized) mobility data, and their reply to a Senate letter inquiring about the COVID-19 website.
Location-Based Reminders, Main Menu on iPad – TMO Daily Observations 2020-04-10
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss setting up reminders by location instead of time, and a “Main Menu” idea for iPadOS.
Carriers Could be Fined $200M For Selling Location Data
The FCC is preparing to fine four major cellular carriers roughly US$200 million for selling location data of customers.
Since iOS 13 Location Advertisers Have Seen Less Data
iOS 13 added a feature to give customers alerts when apps use their location data in the background. And it’s hurting advertisers that use this data.
NYT and Location Data, Last Minute Gift Picks – TMO Daily Observations 2019-12-23
Dave Hamilton and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont to discuss the latest location data reporting, and last minute gift ideas.
NYT Reporters Used a Leaked Location Database to Track the President
I don’t think it’s hyperbole to call this piece “explosive”, “stunning” et cetera. Reporters at the New York Times found a database of location data containing “50 billion location pings from the phones of more than 12 million Americans.” These Americans included two Secret Service agents (and by extension the President), a Department of Defense official, CIA agents leaving for home, and much more. The article is a nightmare to browse because it’s one of their interactive ones, but it’s still worth the read.
The data reviewed by Times Opinion didn’t come from a telecom or giant tech company, nor did it come from a governmental surveillance operation. It originated from a location data company, one of dozens quietly collecting precise movements using software slipped onto mobile phone apps.
Location Data, Listener Mail – TMO Daily Observations 2019-12-19
Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join host Kelly Guimont to discuss location data and who gets to use it, as well as some listener mail.
Apple Explains its Location Data Collection on iPhone 11 Models
Security researcher Brian Krebs found that his iPhone 11 Pro accessed his location even when turned off. Now Apple has explained why.
Location Data, Background Mode – TMO Daily Observations 2019-12-04
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join host Kelly Guimont to discuss sending location data to Apple (or not), and John’s new Background Mode.
Apple Collects Location Data Even if You Say No
Security researcher Brian Krebs discovered something about his iPhone 11 Pro. It continued to collect location data even when disabled.
iOS 13: How to Share Photos Without Location Data
The Photos app on iOS doesn’t have a native way to view a photo’s metadata, but iOS 13 does let you share photos without location data.
'Who's in Town' App Lets Your Instagram Followers Track You
A new app called Who’s in Town gives your Instagram followers an interactive map of every place you’ve ever been.
Proposed New York Bill Would Make Sale of Location Data Illegal
Introduced today, a new bill in New York City would make the sale of cellphone location data illegal, with fines for violators.
Carriers Have Stopped Selling Location Data...We Think
Major carriers in the U.S., like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon claim they’ve stopped selling user data. AT&T says it also wasn’t illegal.
Twitter Location Bug Collected Location Data from iOS Users
A now-fixed Twitter location bug inadvertently let the app collect your location data under certain circumstances.
More on the Bounty Hunter Location Data Story
There’s more to the bounty hunter location data story that Motherboard reported on earlier this month. One of the data brokers involved was Zumigo.