Apple To Share User Location DataApple To Share User Location Data

Apple has updated its privacy policy and includes some new language which might bother some iPhone and iPad users. According to the new clause, Apple warns that it will share "precise location data" with its partners and licensees. Should you be alarmed?

Well, Google already does this with its Android platform. The information is typically not used to track you per se, but the device and services that are being accessed on it. The feedback generated by this information helps developers and third-party companies improve the performance and capabilities of their apps. At least, in theory.

The new privacy terms must be agreed to before users can update or download apps from the iPhone App Store. Most users will click the "accept" button without reading the new terms. The only way to avoid agreeing to the terms would be to stop using iTunes do download applications. That's not a realistic alternative.

Here's the new clause in its entirety so you can see what Apple is saying:

As Apple notes, the information isn't being tied to any specific end users and can't be used to discover their identity directly. Many of the applications that are offered to the iPhone are location-enabled. They are required to ask the user if the user wants the application to access their location data before it can do so.

That means if you use Foursquare, for example, and allow it to collect location data while you use it, you have opted in and shouldn't raise too much fuss about how Foursquare uses that data after the fact.

Google Maps wouldn't be very useful from your mobile phone if the phone couldn't tell Google Maps where you are.

You get the idea.