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Iphone tracks your every move

Shiny spy in your pocket
Friday, 12 September 2008, 13:29

YOUR IPHONE IS WATCHING every move you make and the Cupertino Cabal knows all about it according to Wired.

Insecurity expert Jonathan Zdziarski has found that the phone takes a temporary snapshot of pretty much everything you ever do on your touchy-feely phone.

It's all in the name of aesthetics, says Apple. The sneaky screen grab is used to make the swooshy genie effect, which sweeps your current page off of the screen in a very pretty manner, whenever you hit the 'home' button.

The file is immediately 'deleted' from the directory but, as anyone who knows anything about data storage is well aware, deletion does not permanently remove the actual ones and zeroes from the storage media, as many a criminal who has been busted by digital forensics will attest (stand up Mr Glitter).

So if you're planning a heist... don't do it on your Iphone. ยต

L'Inq
Wired

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Comments
Jobs in your pants.

Anyone who can afford an iPhone wouldn't need to go on a bank heist.

posted by : H. Ruiz, 12 September 2008 Complain about this comment
Lesson learnt.

It happens to the best of us. In this case not that critical as its data that becomes less relevant the older it is. So as soon as new reports come in, its re-priorities the existing data. Still lesson learned and all that. Does anyone else tape notes to their servers for stuff like this? I've seen that in lots of place.

posted by : McQuibble, 12 September 2008 Complain about this comment
Oops

Actually I should have posted that over there...

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/09/12/reported-broken-site-firefox

posted by : McQuibble, 12 September 2008 Complain about this comment
Misleading Headline

This headline goes beyond exaggeration to outright falsehood.

I don't see how your "every move is tracked". 

All that happens is a local snapshot of the screen is retained when you exit an app (by pressing the Home button). This is done in order to speed up reopening the app. Your privacy is not compromised. These screen shots never leave your phone.

Nothing to see here. Move along.

posted by : Brett Sher, 13 September 2008 Complain about this comment
Huh?

It wouldn't make any sense to store this 'snapshot' to the flash first. Maybe store it in system memory and then immediately discard it yes. Otherwise whats the point?

posted by : Spike, 13 September 2008 Complain about this comment
Ahh!!! This is outrageously dumb reporting!

Whats with you guys?, I can understand your distaste for anything "apple" but hey this is pushing it!! You are also questioning basic programming skills!!

You should start a tabloid.... really!!

I don't know what gives you the courage to call yourself "techies" or whatever you call yourself!!

You should start reporting on Ginger Spice or something...

posted by : Sundar, 13 September 2008 Complain about this comment
Tracks?

First, I don't have one, second, the iPhone isn't even on my shopping list..

However, I feel this particular story isn't worth the bandwidth it took for me to view it.

OK, so the 1's and 0's are not immediately overwritten.. DUH... Next time you invoke that little bit of eye candy, it usually is. Only so much memory on those things. 

Y'all trying to cause some trouble here? If you want to talk about tracking, go back to telling everyone about ALL the interesting places Windows stores (Not even temporarily but for long term) info on what the user does. 

This here is a nothing issue. What. someone gonna turn off their iPhone right after doing something questionable to ensure that space isn't overwritten by something else?

You want to hit on possible tracking (Knowing your every move) Talk about web/GPS enabled devices... Oh wait, if ya did that you would have to dig on ALL such devices not just the iPhone.

Little more thinking on these type things would be a good idea before you post up a doomsday type story.

LoCatus

posted by : LoCatus, 13 September 2008 Complain about this comment
Author isn't too bright

So, talk about disproportionate... The Author, Stewart, is a bit of a sensationalist. Bash the Iphone, that will get you published and read. How much crap can be allowed on the Internet is becuase of reporters, journalists, like this.
Steward, shame on you, you know nothing of technology... I would like to get into the details, but you can pick up a biginners guide at your local Tesco.
You are a sad excuse for a writer..

posted by : J. Olnings, 14 September 2008 Complain about this comment
Quality red-top headline

This is a bit of a superficial article, even by today's journalistic standards.

Slow news day? Or did you feel the need to troll your readers for some small amusement? This story is way off the mark, and anybody with an ounce of a clue can see right through it. You might want to reconsider your angle for future reporting ;)

posted by : Christopher, 14 September 2008 Complain about this comment
See them roar....

I love the outraged Apple fanboys...is worth it just to see them go thermonuclear :)

posted by : Adam, 15 September 2008 Complain about this comment
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