Apple accused of amassing data on iPhone customers

[CallMeTheArrow]

Article 1

Article 2

(Before anyone jumps on me for posting this - I am not taking a side because I don't know all the facts at this point. I'd still buy an iPhone and plan to eventually. I just wanted to share the news - could be true, could be false).

My understanding is, you can put in 999-99-9999 and "fail" the credit check and be offered the prepay plans instead if desired. And by the way, DVD Jon has posted a workaround to activating the WiFi and iPod features of the iPhone without using Apple/AT&T servers.

 

[Nuc]

Yeah I'd be damned if I give out my SS to just anyone. I don't even like saying it over the phone... Pretty stupid in my opinion. No computer company should ever have your SS unless you work for them!

Nuc

 

[yippy]

First problem, the Inquirer is practically a tabloid, I wouldn't listen to anything they say.

Second, ALL us cell phone carriers require you to give them your social security number. This is nothing special with Apple/AT&T. They need it in order to do a credit check on you to make sure you will be able to pay your monthly payments and won't breach the contract. Standard practice.

 

[3nm]

att's privacy policy has always been questionable. i'm always surprised that no one cares whenever i bring up this issue here on MR.

 

[Counterfit]

First problem, the Inquirer is practically a tabloid, I wouldn't listen to anything they say.

Second, ALL us cell phone carriers require you to give them your social security number. This is nothing special with Apple/AT&T. They need it in order to do a credit check on you to make sure you will be able to pay your monthly payments and won't breach the contract. Standard practice.

Yup indeedy. Notice which two sites are screaming about this? A tabloid and C.Net. That should tell you all you need to know.

 

[SMM]

The first article was so obviously slanted, it does not deserve my attention. The second one was more to the point. But, there is nothing diabolical about this, although I personable despise the practice.

Credit reporting agencies store your SSN. It is one of the few identifying things about you which does not change. As for the iPhone, I would be surprised if they did NOT run a credit check on you. But, that would be AT&T's choice, not Apple's.

Personally, I never transmit my SSN over the phone, or internet. I will always show up in person to complete paperwork which requires it.

 

[Cleverboy]

I can't put it into stronger terms.

THESE ARTICLES ARE STUPID.

Hm? Let's see... uh, why would Apple or AT&T need my social security number? Hm? Why could that be? Hold on, they're running a credit check? Wait... you mean credit checks have always been a part of getting on a cell phone plan, and having good credit has at times been encouraged when finding a cellphone provider? What's that? Telephone and cellphone customers have often been host to some of the most notorious deadbeat customers on the planet? I never knew!

Before taking Michael Tiemann's blog post verbatim, go read his follow up after being firebombed by critical thinkers who tend not to wear foil hats:
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9740251-7.html?tag=head

I wrote a long and convoluted blog posting about identity theft, its epidemic proportions, and the challenges of raising children in such a hostile environment.[--snip--]One day after the blog went live, it received over 90 comments, most of them berating my intelligence, integrity, and fitness as a journalist (which, as a blogger, I do not claim to be).

Even that post struggles and struggles and struggles some more to justify his manic over-reaction. Privacy and identity theft are SERIOUS issues that do not benefit from those trafficing irrational paranoia. I'm far more interested in someone clearly outlining (hypothetically) that perhaps Apple's privacy policy needs clear updating about what happens to their data, etc.

I personally remember messages that informed me at all times what was happening. If doing it through iTunes bothers you, you can go to an AT&T store and get a credit-check number to bring back, and never transmit it on your computer. Having used Equifax online, I know what a secure lock on my browser means, and who I'll blame if it doesn't work.

AnthonyKinyon, if you're buying an iPhone just to turn off the phone features, you're among the minority. I don't think you should be suggesting that simply to scare people from dealing with Apple and AT&T. It's not good thinking.

~CB

 

[killerrobot]

Everyone phone company asks for a SS number. Nothing new.
However, Apple is collecting more info on everyone just like every other big company, Google, Microsoft etc. and I think there needs to be better laws/bigger punishments that protect personal information from be improperly used.