Comments on: Whip Out The Tinfoil Hats, The iPhone Phones Home http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/ Startup and Technology News Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:14:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: englishusaug http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-2452509 englishusaug Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:19:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-2452509 land house girl mail red land house girl mail red

]]> By: iPhone News Blog - Apple iPod + Mobile Phone » iPhone backdoor for Apple, not good… http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1777713 iPhone News Blog - Apple iPod + Mobile Phone » iPhone backdoor for Apple, not good… Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:12:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1777713 [...] [via] Tags:apple backdoor iphone [...] [...] [via] Tags:apple backdoor iphone [...]

]]> By: www.CARversation.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1775161 www.CARversation.com Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:18:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1775161 damn damn damn that is insane and stupid. damn damn damn that is insane and stupid.

]]> By: Jacob http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773918 Jacob Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:05:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773918 I'm with the people who point out that it's normal. You are trackable. No avoiding that. Your Google searches are recorded, and (while I don't know) your searches at other engines are too. A server-side program needs to know what you're looking for in order to respond. -- Would anyone give a damn if it turned out Weather.com or AccuWeather recorded your weather searches, or Yahoo! Finance recorded your stock quote searches? Nope. Your ISP knows your router's MAC address. Oh no! Let's have a major national scandal! I’m with the people who point out that it’s normal. You are trackable. No avoiding that.

Your Google searches are recorded, and (while I don’t know) your searches at other engines are too. A server-side program needs to know what you’re looking for in order to respond.

–

Would anyone give a damn if it turned out Weather.com or AccuWeather recorded your weather searches, or Yahoo! Finance recorded your stock quote searches? Nope.

Your ISP knows your router’s MAC address. Oh no! Let’s have a major national scandal!

]]> By: Steve Jobs http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773817 Steve Jobs Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:40:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773817 NO! I am on the server watchin everyones pr0ns! NO! I am on the server watchin everyones pr0ns!

]]> By: Lee C. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773809 Lee C. Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:38:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773809 Oh, that's evil. Oh, that’s evil.

]]> By: Chris http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773770 Chris Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:29:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773770 I am in your iPhone watchin all your p0rns! I am in your iPhone watchin all your p0rns!

]]> By: Jurado http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773610 Jurado Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:52:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773610 itampon, from apple invisble string! itampon, from apple invisble string!

]]> By: Scott http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773360 Scott Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:08:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773360 Not sure about the IMEI number, but VPN services like www.Hotspotvpn.com and www.witopia.net will prevent them from tracking your IP address, browsing, and location. Not sure about the IMEI number, but VPN services like http://www.Hotspotvpn.com and http://www.witopia.net will prevent them from tracking your IP address, browsing, and location.

]]> By: Michael Baron http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773036 Michael Baron Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:15:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773036 There is another potential use for this ... shutting down the phones of off-network users. Whenever you make a call on a cellular network all of your data is saved by the carrier, including IMEI. All Apple has to do is run a scan to correlate data requests with network usage and create an exception report listing all data requests received when the phone wasn't registered on an AT&T network. Next they simply send out a brick signal to all phones on that list the next time a data request comes through. What I don't understand is the fierce loyalty that Apple users have to a company that treats them so poorly. True, the iPhone is much sexier and thinner than my 2 year old MDA. But the MDA does much more. Even though it's thicker I wouldn't trade the slide out real keyboard for less bulk. The evil Microsoft encourages people to write programs for it and there are thousands. I like taking videos. And working on spreadsheets. And being able to change memory cards when I fill one with video or want different music or to view other PDFs. I always carry an extra battery in my car for those times when I don't make it home and still want a full charge. And I never have to worry about messing it up with software; if I ever do I can always do a hard reset and the phone goes back to the way it was when I first took it out of the box. Yes, think different. Think restricted. Think less useful. What are they thinking? There is another potential use for this … shutting down the phones of off-network users. Whenever you make a call on a cellular network all of your data is saved by the carrier, including IMEI. All Apple has to do is run a scan to correlate data requests with network usage and create an exception report listing all data requests received when the phone wasn’t registered on an AT&T network. Next they simply send out a brick signal to all phones on that list the next time a data request comes through.

What I don’t understand is the fierce loyalty that Apple users have to a company that treats them so poorly. True, the iPhone is much sexier and thinner than my 2 year old MDA. But the MDA does much more. Even though it’s thicker I wouldn’t trade the slide out real keyboard for less bulk. The evil Microsoft encourages people to write programs for it and there are thousands. I like taking videos. And working on spreadsheets. And being able to change memory cards when I fill one with video or want different music or to view other PDFs. I always carry an extra battery in my car for those times when I don’t make it home and still want a full charge. And I never have to worry about messing it up with software; if I ever do I can always do a hard reset and the phone goes back to the way it was when I first took it out of the box.

Yes, think different. Think restricted. Think less useful. What are they thinking?

]]> By: Steve Ballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773021 Steve Ballmer Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:13:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773021 1984! Apple is over the top with this! Protest people, destroy all of those iMacs you have been buying and get a Vista PC! 1984!
Apple is over the top with this!
Protest people, destroy all of those iMacs you have been buying and get a Vista PC!

]]> By: Tech Narf http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773009 Tech Narf Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:11:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1773009 you all worry too much and for nothing! do you think anyone will be interested to find out your fav porn sites? you all worry too much and for nothing! do you think anyone will be interested to find out your fav porn sites?

]]> By: HonestMall.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772928 HonestMall.com Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:57:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772928 *wonders if steve will release a press-release or letter on apple.com to combat the recent bad press *wonders if steve will release a press-release or letter on apple.com to combat the recent bad press

]]> By: Dean Steadman http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772535 Dean Steadman Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:43:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772535 Why do people always use pr0n as an example for privacy issues? We all surf for porn, let's move along to real privacy issues now. I'm much more concerned with people collecting my surfing habits without my knowledge; or contact information out of my profiles; or my friends contact info. Trust me, my porn surfing is the least valuable bit of information out there. Why do people always use pr0n as an example for privacy issues? We all surf for porn, let’s move along to real privacy issues now.

I’m much more concerned with people collecting my surfing habits without my knowledge; or contact information out of my profiles; or my friends contact info.

Trust me, my porn surfing is the least valuable bit of information out there.

]]> By: iPhone is Phoning Home - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772495 iPhone is Phoning Home - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:34:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772495 [...] is Phoning Home - Today, 12:34 PM Seems the iPhone has an issue of Apple spyware Whip Out The Tinfoil Hats, The iPhone Phones Home www.petermac.ca <--- Free photo wallpapers available only from your default BlackBerry [...] [...] is Phoning Home - Today, 12:34 PM Seems the iPhone has an issue of Apple spyware Whip Out The Tinfoil Hats, The iPhone Phones Home http://www.petermac.ca <— Free photo wallpapers available only from your default BlackBerry [...]

]]> By: James Thomas http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772475 James Thomas Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:29:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772475 via. via via via. via via. via via via, "via via via via!". via? via. (Duncan found a new word... lol) via.

via via via. via via. via via via, “via via via via!”.

via? via.

(Duncan found a new word… lol)

]]> By: ZuckThis http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772471 ZuckThis Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:28:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772471 Oh noes apple phone home! Sell the stock now! Burn the laptops in a pire! M$ never touches the wire! M$ is the new ethics role model! M$ has a better phone... wait, they don't even have a fvcking phone! Whiners! Oh noes apple phone home!
Sell the stock now!
Burn the laptops in a pire!

M$ never touches the wire!
M$ is the new ethics role model!
M$ has a better phone… wait, they don’t even have a fvcking phone!

Whiners!

]]> By: Handsome Logic http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772341 Handsome Logic Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:46:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772341 I have yet to jailbreak my iPhone, but this hack would definitely be one I'd be happy to use. Bring it on! I have yet to jailbreak my iPhone, but this hack would definitely be one I’d be happy to use. Bring it on!

]]> By: Christian Nussbaumer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772324 Christian Nussbaumer Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:42:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772324 In my opinion there's not one valid reason why to send an IMEI back to Apple than to track customers. Authentication can be accomplished by various ways and there's no absolute need to use an IMEI number for a customer. IP adresses are often assigned temporarily (most providers use shared ip's for xDSL, Dial-Up and other connection techniques) so you'll never have an exact trail of the customers machine (thats' why we have cookies which you can block). Additionally, IP adresses can be spoofed or you can surf using anonymisation services such as TOR and the like. IMEI numbers on the other hand are unique for every phone, so it would be easy, to track every customer from A to Z. All you need in addition is the subscriber data which Apple surely has (they're working with AT&T and they shipped/sold every phone, just note the IMEI on every phone sold and you have it). This is a shame and I am looking forward to have this functionality blocked. Not because I have a cracked iPhone (one of 250'000 more or less) but because I do not like any company know too much about me. Google knows already too much about me (I use Gmail)... This is a shame for such a valued and well-known company. Let's hope that the bloggers react well and that the company takes this into account ("lessons learned")... In my opinion there’s not one valid reason why to send an IMEI back to Apple than to track customers. Authentication can be accomplished by various ways and there’s no absolute need to use an IMEI number for a customer.

IP adresses are often assigned temporarily (most providers use shared ip’s for xDSL, Dial-Up and other connection techniques) so you’ll never have an exact trail of the customers machine (thats’ why we have cookies which you can block). Additionally, IP adresses can be spoofed or you can surf using anonymisation services such as TOR and the like. IMEI numbers on the other hand are unique for every phone, so it would be easy, to track every customer from A to Z. All you need in addition is the subscriber data which Apple surely has (they’re working with AT&T and they shipped/sold every phone, just note the IMEI on every phone sold and you have it).

This is a shame and I am looking forward to have this functionality blocked. Not because I have a cracked iPhone (one of 250′000 more or less) but because I do not like any company know too much about me. Google knows already too much about me (I use Gmail)…

This is a shame for such a valued and well-known company. Let’s hope that the bloggers react well and that the company takes this into account (”lessons learned”)…

]]> By: FakeSportsBlogs http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772323 FakeSportsBlogs Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:41:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772323 If they wanted to do this they should prompt the user for approval. Even though 99% of people would say no, I guess a few might now. http://www.fakesportsblogs.com If they wanted to do this they should prompt the user for approval. Even though 99% of people would say no, I guess a few might now.

http://www.fakesportsblogs.com

]]> By: Cavenger http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772318 Cavenger Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:39:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772318 wow. wow.

]]> By: Paly http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772307 Paly Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:33:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772307 Let's see if we can't whip up some moronic conclusions Yeeeeeeeehawwww Duncan, keep that brain off! Let’s see if we can’t whip up some moronic conclusions

Yeeeeeeeehawwww Duncan, keep that brain off!

]]> By: Vlad B http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772261 Vlad B Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:23:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772261 Sending the IMEI is indeed questionable although I can imagine several non-evil satistical/authentication uses that involve it. Stock quotes / weather prefs on the other hand - how else are they supposed to know what data to send back to you? Using web services means you're going to have to communicate with them. They'll know your IP address as well as any necessary variables. Shocking as it is, it's how things work on the internet. Sending the IMEI is indeed questionable although I can imagine several non-evil satistical/authentication uses that involve it. Stock quotes / weather prefs on the other hand - how else are they supposed to know what data to send back to you?

Using web services means you’re going to have to communicate with them. They’ll know your IP address as well as any necessary variables. Shocking as it is, it’s how things work on the internet.

]]> By: needlegun http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772244 needlegun Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:15:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772244 Lump sum up front. Monthly contract. Privacy. Any other ways Apple is going to make you pay for this phone?? Lump sum up front.
Monthly contract.
Privacy.

Any other ways Apple is going to make you pay for this phone??

]]> By: bob http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772233 bob Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:09:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/19/whip-out-the-tinfoil-hats-the-iphone-phones-home/#comment-1772233 The iPhone redirects all RSS requests through http://reader.mac.com/ with a special URL : http://reader.mac.com/mobile/v1/http://feeds.feedburner.com/TechCrunch (you need to spoof the User Agent to iPhone to view the reader) The iPhone redirects all RSS requests through http://reader.mac.com/ with a special URL : http://reader.mac.com/mobile/v.....TechCrunch
(you need to spoof the User Agent to iPhone to view the reader)

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