A Canadian woman is suing Apple for allegedly violating the privacy and security rights of users of its iPhones, iPads and iPods that run on its iOS4 operating system.
Amanda Ladas, of Surrey, B.C., has filed suit under the Class Proceedings Act in the Supreme Court of B.C.
Ladas’ claim alleges Apple has “engaged in deceptive acts or practices that have the capability, tendency or effect of deceiving or misleading class members and that these practices entitle members of the class to aggravated, punitive and/or exemplary damages.”
Ladas is concerned anyone with even mediocre computer knowledge can find out where she’s been, according to a press release issued Oct. 30.
A digital forensics expert, who examined Ladas’ iPhone and desktop computer, discovered her location data over the past year was easily accessible using free tools readily available on the Internet.
Francis Graf’s report, which is filed with the lawsuit, indicates iOS4x stockpiles “specific location-based data in unencrypted form, including dates and times, associated to geographic location coordinates.”
That information is then copied onto any computer the devices are connected to when they are backed up, the report says. Each consecutive backup file holds new location data “for approximately one year prior to the date of that backup, thereby increasing the aggregate location-based data stored in unencrypted form.”
Ladas says she did not give permission for her information to be tracked, collected and stored when she bought and activated her iPhone.
Information security, networking and systems administration expert Eric Smith, whose extensive report also is included with the lawsuit, “shows for the first time exactly how Apple is aware of the physical location of every device operating iOS4x through a technique known as wardriving,” the press release says.
A sworn affidavit by geographic profiler Kim Rossmo filed with the lawsuit references the possible risks of having personal information vulnerable to even mediocre hackers and criminals.
Owners of Apple devices, however, can employ up-to-date operating systems, such as iOS5, launched in October 2011 and iOS6, released in September.
Between two million and seven million Canadians use Apple devices powered by the iOS4 operating system, including Ladas and her son, the release says.
None of Ladas’s claims have been proven in court.
Apple has yet to file a response to Ladas’ complaint.
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I am behind this Amanda 100% in this one. As we know if we violate any corporation such as Apple or Microsoft – they will always let us know. Will be looking to read the outcome of this lawsuit.
Well, unfortunately for this lady every time we download an app it asks if we “grant it permission” to “use your data, use your location use your … etc…” If she doesn’t want this she still has a choice… instead of a smart phone that knows what she’s doing and where she is going… Get a Dumb phone for her dumb ass. No one cares where you are lady. LOL And I’m sure somewhere in that ridiculously long contract she signed when she purchased the phone and again when she activated it and activated it and created her account I’m sure she did agree to this LOL… see the episode of South-Park called “HUMAN Centipede” for more on Apple and their contracts.