XPost: misc.phone.mobile.iphone, alt.wireless.internet   
   From: mariond@facts.com   
      
   FACT:   
      
   1. Apple and Google both crowd source Wi-Fi and cellular identifiers.   
      Their goal is stated to be in order to improve location accuracy.   
      
      Most Apple/Android mobile devices are configured by default to   
      upload nearby BSSIDs, cell tower IDs & sometimes Bluetooth beacons.   
      
   2. Apple   
      A. The Apple Wi-Fi Positioning System is openly queryable.   
         Researchers have shown it can be used to locate routers worldwide.   
      B. Even if you do not own Apple devices, nearby iPhones may upload   
         your router BSSID & location, adding your home to Apple's database.   
      C. This openness has been exploited in studies to track troop   
         movements and to track destruction in war zones.   
      
   3. Google   
      A. Google collects similar data but restricts access to its database.   
      B. It is not openly queryable in the same way Apple's database is.   
      C. Android defaults to "Google Location Accuracy" being on,   
         but it can be turned off in settings by intelligent people.   
      
   4. Limits of exposure   
      A. Neither Apple nor Google databases DIRECTLY contain your name   
      B. Neither Apple nor Google databases DIRECTLY contain your address   
      C. But that name & address is easily found in USA public databases   
      D. Attackers would need to cross-reference BSSID data with public   
         records to infer identities from the BSSID tied to GPS location.   
      
   5. Privacy risks   
      A. Apple openness means outsiders can query Wi-Fi locations globally.   
      B. Google restricts queries but still collects the same identifiers.   
      C. Both raise concerns about involuntary participation in crowdsourced   
         location systems (but intelligent people can turn some of it off).   
      
   6. Summary   
      Both Apple & Google collect Wi-Fi and cellular identifiers   
      Apple & Google claim they do it in order to improve location accuracy.   
      Apple allows open queries, Google restricts them.   
      Neither exposes your name or device list directly, but both raise   
      huge privacy concerns when that information is combined with other data.   
      
   Bearing in mind intelligent people listen to what Apple & Google say,   
   but if you're intelligent, you also notice what Apple & Google do.   
      
   Which isn't always the same thing.   
   There are other motives beyond simply improving location accuracy.   
   --   
   One advantage of owning intelligent thought processes is we can listen to   
   what Apple & Google say, but then take into account what they actually do.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)