While Google managed to comply with Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen’s request for information on how their devices record location data, Apple Inc. asked for an extension of time.
“[Apple] requested more time to comply, which was granted,” said Susan Kinsman, Jepsen’s communications director. She added that Google did comply with the May 5th deadline and their submission is being reviewed. Kinsman said the documents will not immediately be made public.
Jepsen requested information from the two mobile giants in the wake of a discovery that Apple’s iPhone, iPod, and iPad kept a database of the complete history of the device’s whereabouts.
Apple said the database was not transmitted back to the company or third parties, but it did disclose that data was anonymously collected from customers to help improve location searches. Google spokesman Chris Gaither, in an emailed statement, said that Android devices also submit anonymous location data to Google if users “opt in” to use location services. In both cases users are not aware their phones are transmitting location data.
Apple did not respond to multiple requests for comment on their delay in responding. Gaither declined to provide specifics on Google’s response to Jepsen’s request.
Apple on Wednesday issued a patch that prevents the iPhone’s location database from being backed up to a personal computer. While the database will remain on the device, Apple says the updated software will periodically delete older entries and also delete the database entirely if users turn off “location services” in the iOS settings application.
