Apple Now Collects, Shares iPhone, iPad, Computer User Locations

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Apple knows where you are and plans to put that information to work.

The Cupertino company updated its privacy policy today to disclose that it may now “collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device.”

The new terms of service will pop up as a prompt next time you try to download or buy anything on the iTunes store — there is currently no opt-out option. (As Cult reader Joh pointed out — iOS4 users can opt out of iAd, however, online here.)

The only service to users mentioned in the privacy policy update is the recently-announced  “Find my iPhone” for MobileMe subscribers.

Here’s exactly what the new paragraph on Apple’s “Location-Based Services” states:

To provide location-based services on Apple products, Apple and our partners and licensees may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device. This location data is collected anonymously in a form that does not personally identify you and is used by Apple and our partners and licensees to provide and improve location-based products and services. For example, we may share geographic location with application providers when you opt in to their location services.

Some location-based services offered by Apple, such as the MobileMe“Find My iPhone” feature, require your personal information for the feature to work.

Speculation is that among the “services, content, and advertising” Apple aims to improve by gathering this kind of user information advertising platform, iAd looms large. The new platform is slated to launch July 1.

Just last month, Apple applied for a patent regarding geo-tagged ads and coupons for iPhone users. Future iPhones may be able to flash ads for theater discounts or suggest a burrito special in the neighborhood as you head out of the office at lunch time.

Geo-tagged ads and coupons would zap themselves to iPhone users a number of ways, including RFID. The Cupertino company applied for a patent in May titled “System and method for providing contextual advertisements according to a dynamic pricing scheme.”

If the price (or timing) is right, users could make buys at kiosks or use coupons or discounts from their smartphones.

Here’s how Apple described it in the patent application:
“If the submitted advertisement… provides a coupon for food at a restaurant, the submitting advertiser… may include an indication that the advertisement… is directed to food sales, times of day when meals are popularly served, a GPS location of the restaurant, keywords that may relate to the restaurant in an Internet search, how weather may affect the use or non-use of the coupon in the advertisement…, etc.”

What do you think: could this lead to a series of useful services or is Apple requiring too much information from its customers?

Sources: LA Times, Apple Insider

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