South Korea gives Apple light fine over locations

The Korean Communications Commission on Wednesday fined Apple an unusually low three million won ($2,828) over its earlier location data practices while also punishing Google. Both the iPhone and Android were found leaving vulnerabilities that would let an outsider track the location of a phone. The KCC claimed it had let the two companies off easy as it could have frozen businesses or taken three percent of location revenue from Apple, although Apple makes no real money from location positioning.

Both had to encrypt location info stored on the device.

Apple is already believed to have already addressed Korean concerns with the iOS 4.3.3 update in May. Google, however, hasn't significantly changed Android's location policy and has been assuming that its approach of initial opt-in consent was enough.

Google was "reviewing" the ruling and planned to cooperate.

Apple has been under light but widespread legal action in South Korea over the location debate. It was forced to pay $925 to one resident but may now face $25.5 million in class-action damages from the same law firm that won the individual case.

US regulators haven't been as aggressive against Apple. A proposed law in the Senate might make permission mandatory for giving out location data.

By Electronista Staff

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