Pre phones home with your location, which explains the black helicopters all around you
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Aug 12th 2009 6:52PM
posted Aug 12th 2009 6:52PM
- One of the very first screens you see when you power on the Pre for the first time is a disclaimer asking you to allow Google to collect, aggregate, and anonymize your location data in order to improve the performance of location-based services. Furthermore -- and this is important -- "collection will occur regardless of whether any applications are active." We don't know whether Palm acts as a conduit for that data to get to Google, but we'd be surprised if Palm had built services to pipe location data straight to Google within webOS itself; in all likelihood, Palm's getting the data first, which is why it's being uploaded there. Bear in mind that you're seeing this warning outside the context of any Google app on the Pre -- it's right in the operating system. Palm has its own terms and conditions that you agree to above and beyond Google's, too, and they flat-out say they "may collect, store, access, disclose, transmit, process, and otherwise use your location data." There you have it.
- App usage is a pretty benign stat -- equate it to TiVo anonymizing and selling your viewing habits, except even less interesting, because we have no evidence to suggest Palm's trying to sell this. We can totally understand why Palm would want insight into app popularity, and when you think about it, this could actually lead to some pretty clever ranking systems in the App Catalog; the iPhone has starkly demonstrated that download volume doesn't equate to replay value, and Palm might be able to do something about that. Oh, and seriously, you need to cut it out with the Jon & Kate Plus 8.
- When an app crashes, Palm gets some more in-depth information about the crash, most notably a list of installed apps. You know what else collects and sends a crapload of information when an app crashes? Mac OS. Windows, too. If they really wanted to go into CYA mode, they could ask before sending the way those desktop OSes do, but we're not sweating bullets here -- we just want stability, and this kind of data helps them get there.
[Via PreCentral]
Update: Palm has issued a statement on the situation, basically confirming what we suspected -- it's collecting information to offer "a great user experience," which we take to mean that it's trying to squash bugs and keep location-centric apps functional, among other things. They've also mentioned that it's possible to turn data collecting services off without going into details -- ostensibly they're referring to the checkbox at setup (see above) that lets you stop sending aggregated location results to Google.
Christ, if this was Apple doing this, you guys would have your panties in a bunch.
They are doing this also.
Any cell phone (even without GPS) can do this. Phones can be loosely tracked through cell towers alone.
Tracking (any) phone through cell towers is not the same as this, by a long shot. But can you opt out? If yes, no big deal.
Apple did do something similar, just google up "iPhone phones home" and you should find the story relatively easily
And half the time when I plug my iTouch into my PC, it asks to send info to Apple. The most annoying part is that when I tell it not to aks me again, it does it anyways. Same thing when I ask Apple apps not to install Apple software update. They do anyways.
I'm sure if you look into it there is a clause like this in the terms of use and privacy statement with your provider anyways... They have to add it to allow them to disclose your location to law enforcement and not get sued afterward.
What the hell is an iTouch
WinMo does too.
Heck, even Android, Symbian, etc, does that too.
Welcome to the 21st century folks.
@Johnblahblah,
this is iTouch,
http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/19/pasen-itouch-se-demoed-on-video-the-goggles-do-nothing/
I like Apple (never owned an iPhone and want a TP2 from Sprint) and I hate Google. Google = Big Brother. How do I turn this feature off on my wifes Pre?
That's why I don't have a cellphone nubs!
Gutted.
then i'll just intercept your pigeon.
The huge deal surrounding this is ridiculous. These features aid Palm's ability to improve the device, and doesn't identify you in any way that should upset anyone.
If it was the iphone. It would be even more huge. We all know it.
Remember the whole "Apple kills apps if they want " thing.
Now everybody does it.
Who else kills apps? Not really sure what you mean.
Anyway, fuck Apple. This story isn't about Apple.
Would you be upset if anyone knew what kind of apps and where (within a 40-100 meter radius bhahaha) you were using?
I think they mean the Amazon book thing… Also apple deleted the app from the store apple has yet to kill and app that you have on your phone... hell I have Tris still and that was taken from the story almost 1 year ago.
About the iPhone "Kill Switch". The iPhone doesn't send your GPS location to Apple, and it doesn't even send your application list to Apple. All it does is check a publicly available xml file on Apple's server and then check (internally) if one of your app has been blacklisted.
This xml file has always been "empty" since it was discovered. Apple never used the killswitch to remove apps on people's iPhone despite removing/banning quite a few apps from the app store. People that bought these apps prior were able to keep them. Apple said that the kill switch would be used only to remove really malicious programs and there's nothing that show that Apple would do otherwise.
And BTW, the holly Android platform also includes a Kill Switch that despite its "open source" nature you can only remove by "rooting" the device (which is as complicated as Jailbreaking an iPhone).
Gibson must be a google spook, or he's insanely naïve.
They are making money off user data and the users pay them to do it. Double win for corporate interests.
Tin cans and a string FTW
rofl
Lol, wow, i actually laughed at that :D
The latest can/string set has built in RFID tags :( You have to visit craiglist for older, used sets if you want to avoid the tags.
Office Space avatar + comment= WIN
That's what my Operations Manager continually tells me when we are trying to unravel a telecoms problem:
"It's just 2 Campbell soup cans with a piece of string between 'em, nothing more"
Its actually kinda scary how much my phone knows about me.
I've just crapped in my pants!!!
Super-effective ad!
.
This is Google's MO for everything. Hope nobody is surprised!
Remember the 'oops' EULA they had with chrome? It's almost hilarious.
Thats why you dont just spam next or agree without at least skimming whats on the screen.
It has absolutely nothing to do with Google's data collection. This is such pitiful excuse for journalism. It is completely hidden from the user and not controllable by a setting; you have to log in as root on your Palm Pre if you want to disable this "feature".
HTH, HAND
Palm is evil. Just like Apple.
My allegiance belongs to Micr...
My allegiance belongs to Goo...
Damn!
Your allegiance belongs to ME MWHAHAHAHAHA!!!
@Shinigami: Along with all his base?
Nope, all his base are belong to Palm.
An APP to disable this? Anyone?
Why? You a terrorist and try to build a bomb and blow up the white house?
Hey, internet, you logging this?
@kjb434 (a.k.a. Mob member #842):
If you actually owned or ever had touched a Pre, you'd know it came with built in app to turn it all off...
@kjb434,
There's no app for that, but there's something better.
an Off switch.
.
Just go to location services, it should be on your last menu and scroll down to Background Data Collection and turn it off. It might not turn off everything but it's something.
you poop
You scare me, then you reassure me. Thank you engadget.
I don't really have a palm pre, but I can manufacture rage pretty quick.
Lol.
Wait a minute. What happens if you click "Don't agree"? If it carries on and all is well, then this is not a big deal at all. You can opt out. If it doesn't allow you to continue using the Pre phone, that is a significant and troubling deal.
There is a tick/check mark. You can deselect that and agree with the rest of the ToS. Common thing in software these days, especially with earliy/beta software, even on PCs.
If you don't agree, then your location-based services won't be able to determine any location data from the cell tower ID's.
not true... location based services continue to work. I definitely pressed "don't agree." btw, this is like the first screen you see when you turn on the pre out of the box... I was pretty shocked that the first thing I saw on my new phone was google trying to track me...
there is a separate option in 'location services' where you can toggle google data mining. again, this option is completely separate from the enabling/disabling of location based services. you can also choose whether you want to get more precise data by using gps (at the expense of battery life).
and to your other comment, of course google is spying on you... they sell targeted ads and they want every last scrap of info they can get.
@jay - thanks for that clarification. Basically, no story here folks, move along......