FCC and FTC to hold mobile location forum

Both the FCC and the FTC planned Tuesday to invite Apple and Google to a public forum on location-based privacy. The iPhone and Android creators were being asked to explain how their systems work at a non-binding June 28 gathering. Advocacy groups, carriers, and other tech firms were also expected to show.

The forum would still have Apple and Google answer questions about not just the level of tracking but also whether they properly disclose data. Apple doesn't explicitly notify users of its crowd-sourced location database beyond the initial fine-print agreement but is also only collecting local access points and not the user's immediate position. Google routinely maintains that all Android location tracking is opt-in but also hasn't mentioned its very frequent background updates and how long that data is kept on Google's servers.

Of the two, only Apple has so far actively changed its policy, releasing iOS 4.3.3 to cut back on the amount of data it stores and locking that information to prevent it from being easily stolen.

Either of the two platform makers will be making their third presentation in front of a government agency if they accept. Apple and Google together had to present at a Senate hearing earlier this month and will go there again for a second hearing on Thursday to address unanswered questions. None of the meetings have led to legal action so far.

By Electronista Staff