Reuters is reporting that four senior House Republicans have sent letters to the CEOs of Apple and Alphabet questioning location data, mobile phone privacy and the handling of customer data. The goal of the panel is, to quote the letter:
"to probe the companies' representation of third-party access to consumer data, and the collection and use of audio recording data as well as location information via iPhone and Android devices."
While Apple declined to comment, Alphabet said they would answer the committee's questions.
While I have my doubts that we will get any truth out of either company, it makes me happy to see some pressure being put on them in regards to user privacy.
The letters cited reports that smartphones can, and in some instances, do, "collect 'non-triggered' audio data from users' conversations near a smartphone in order to hear a 'trigger' phrase, such as 'Okay Google' or Hey Siri," They said there have been suggestions that third party applications have access to and use this 'non-triggered' data without disclosure to users.
"to probe the companies' representation of third-party access to consumer data, and the collection and use of audio recording data as well as location information via iPhone and Android devices."
While Apple declined to comment, Alphabet said they would answer the committee's questions.
While I have my doubts that we will get any truth out of either company, it makes me happy to see some pressure being put on them in regards to user privacy.
The letters cited reports that smartphones can, and in some instances, do, "collect 'non-triggered' audio data from users' conversations near a smartphone in order to hear a 'trigger' phrase, such as 'Okay Google' or Hey Siri," They said there have been suggestions that third party applications have access to and use this 'non-triggered' data without disclosure to users.