Quote Originally Posted by Husar View Post
So all cellphones with a GPS system have a preinstalled backdoor "virus" that allows the cellphone provider to access it and get the location back?
I know an app for the iPhone to track it when it's stolen BUT the thief has to open it (it hides as an app with girls in it) for it to retrieve the location and email it to the owner, triangulation or just looking what tower it's currently connected with is another thing but I doubt they can just get remote access to the GPS to get an exact location.
IIRC, The GPS part of it was sold as a locator for the 911 emergency service. Even back then I knew it would get abused like this. Many phones have a menu option to turn off the GPS, except for 911 calls, but I'm not sure the switch actually does anything. Without the GPS, the phone's general location can be determined via the cell tower connections. I'm not sure how fine the location fix is though, but it will give a rough neighborhood guess.

I don't think the problem is the phone company knowing where you are. They need to have this info for billing purposes (roaming charges, etc.). The problem is the long-term storage. This data should be dropped after a short number of billing cycles.

The lesson here is: if you are going to commit a crime or do anything illicit, leave your personally traceable cell phones at home.