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Most of us could name off the benefits of GPS personal tracking devices. In fact, many of us probably use the technology on a regular basis. It keeps loved ones safe on long trips, helps track criminals on parole, and has recently helped decrease truancy rates at public schools. However, when personal tracking technology is implemented into customer products by big name businesses, worried rumors start flying.

Apple Computer’s iPhone recently found itself the butt of these rumors. The company implemented a combination of a GPS tracking system, cell tower data, and Wi-Fi hotspot locations to help expedite their cellphone location finding. When GPS technology wasn’t available, the cellphones would track down cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. In order to store all this information, each iPhone must have a cache installed. That cache is backed up on iTunes.

Customers recently found up to a years worth of location information stored on their iTunes database. In addition, some of these customers found even when they turned off their “Location Services,” Apple still tracked and stored their location information.

Although customers voiced concern, Apple cites a bug as responsible for these issues. However, they responded quickly to these outcries. Taking immediate action, Apple promised to fix the problem in a few weeks; however, the company impressed customers by solving the problem within a week.

So what changes has the iPhone undergone? First, the iPhone will no longer back up location databases to owner iTunes. In addition, those large databases with up to a year’s worth of information will disappear. Finally, turning off Location Services will now ensure users get that added privacy they want.

With this recent outcry and iPhone’s response, it’s important to remember, while your privacy is important, Apple was not intending to track down customers. In fact, the location information transmitted to Apple databases is anonymous. Apple’s main goal was providing customers with better service. In fact, although the update will provide customers with better service, it may also slow down the efficiency of phone GPS tracking devices. Turning off Location Services, for example, may give additional privacy, but it slows down the efficiency of GPS trackers.

So which do iPhone users think more important: total privacy or smart phone efficiency?  The next few weeks will have to decide that question for us.

Article Written by Katharine Stephens