They are very angry senators who auditioned, Tuesday, May 10, representatives from Google and Apple, as part of a preliminary inquiry by a parliamentary committee on privacy. Both companies have been heavily criticized after the revelation in late April, as mobile phones using their respective operating systems were collecting location information without the knowledge of their users.
"Consumers have a fundamental right to know what information is collected about them, said the committee chairman, Senator Franken (Democrat) at the opening of the hearing. Consumers have the right to decide whether, with whom, when and how they wish to share this information. And yet, reports suggest that the information contained in our mobile phones are not protected as they should be.
" In his defense, Apple, through the voice of one of its vice presidents, again explained that the company "does not was tracking its customers," but it has been argued that the company had said in the past that collecting location information enables it to offer more targeted services.
Google, meanwhile, said that the location information were protected and had a real social utility. "The location-based services can help you find a pharmacy care for your sick child at 1 am," said company representative. AMERICAN LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF PRIVACY The hearing, described as brouillonnne by participants, was also an opportunity for members to submit their counterparts in a series of questions on other subjects.
Were discussed pell-mell data collected by the Google cars ", the applications listing the radar and police checks, or company policy regarding the validation of applications. Asked how the use of personal data by third-party developers was controlled, Google has acknowledged that improvements could be made, notably by forcing these companies to present their explicit policy of conservation and use of data.
U.S. lawmakers have seized since the early issues of respect for privacy. Several bills introducing new protections for consumers have been filed since January. Two former presidential candidates, Senators Kerry and McCain, and have filed a joint bill, however, regarded as too timid by consumer associations. 
"Consumers have a fundamental right to know what information is collected about them, said the committee chairman, Senator Franken (Democrat) at the opening of the hearing. Consumers have the right to decide whether, with whom, when and how they wish to share this information. And yet, reports suggest that the information contained in our mobile phones are not protected as they should be.
" In his defense, Apple, through the voice of one of its vice presidents, again explained that the company "does not was tracking its customers," but it has been argued that the company had said in the past that collecting location information enables it to offer more targeted services.
Google, meanwhile, said that the location information were protected and had a real social utility. "The location-based services can help you find a pharmacy care for your sick child at 1 am," said company representative. AMERICAN LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF PRIVACY The hearing, described as brouillonnne by participants, was also an opportunity for members to submit their counterparts in a series of questions on other subjects.
Were discussed pell-mell data collected by the Google cars ", the applications listing the radar and police checks, or company policy regarding the validation of applications. Asked how the use of personal data by third-party developers was controlled, Google has acknowledged that improvements could be made, notably by forcing these companies to present their explicit policy of conservation and use of data.
U.S. lawmakers have seized since the early issues of respect for privacy. Several bills introducing new protections for consumers have been filed since January. Two former presidential candidates, Senators Kerry and McCain, and have filed a joint bill, however, regarded as too timid by consumer associations.
- Senators press Apple, Google for answers about location tracking (11/05/2011)
- Oh it's on! Google's Vic Gundotra takes another shot at Apple (10/05/2011)
- Apple is more successful than powerful (10/05/2011)
- Video: Google and Apple Execs Hauled in Front of Senate Committee to Explain Phone Tracking (10/05/2011)
- On fragmentation, Google still comes up short against Apple (10/05/2011)
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