Apple CEO Steve Jobs has reportedly said that Apple does not track anyone, but added that Google’s Android did so.
Last week privacy concerns were raised after two British security researchers, Alisdair Allan and Pete Warden, identified that Apple iPhones had secret unencrypted files in them that tracked the movements of users without their knowledge.
Google has also admitted that the company tracked movements of users as well, but it did so to provide customised services such as maps and searches for shops or restaurants, and to study traffic on various roads.
Google added that the tracking was done anonymously and with prior consent.
Jobs’ comment is the first from Apple since the discovery of passive tracking tools.
In response to a question by an Apple user, Jobs clarified that "we don’t track anyone", and added that Android did.
A reader of the MacRumors website who emailed Jobs asked: "Could you please explain the necessity of the passive location-tracking tool embedded in my iPhone? It’s kind of unnerving knowing that my exact location is being recorded at all times. Maybe you could shed some light on this for me before I switch to a [Google Android] Droid. They don’t track me."
Jobs replied, "Oh yes they do. We don’t track anyone. The info circulating around is false."
Apple has not officialy commented on the conversation.
Meanwhile pressure is mounting on Apple to explain why its phone tracked user movements without prior consent.
US Congressmen have already asked Apple to provide an explanation. Bloomberg reported that South Korea’s communications regulator is investigating the matter. Apple has been investigated by French, German and Italian privacy regulators.
