Apple faces privacy lawsuit over user location data

With the Apple iPhone and iPad found to have secretly stored the locations of their users, two Americans are suing Apple for invasion of privacy, Bloomberg reported Monday.

Vikram Ajjampur and William Devito filed the suit with the Tampa Division of the U.S. District Court in Florida Friday, demanding a ban on Apple’s undocumented collection of location data.

The plaintiffs’ counsel said, “We have raised complaint against the fact Apple tracks the locations of all places iPhone users visit.”

Despite the mounting demand for an explanation on all suspicions and questions raised, Apple remained tightlipped and did not make an official statement.

The Wall Street Journal also reported Monday that the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee sent an inquiry to all companies publishing smartphone operating systems, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Nokia, RIM and HP, demanding explanations on the process and purposes of location data collection.

The inquiry was sent to the CEOs of the companies, including Apple`s Steve Jobs, requiring a reply by May 9. As such, Apple cannot keep putting off giving an explanation.

sanhkim@donga.com