We saw plenty of complaints arise when it was first discovered that Apple’s iOS 7 software included a “frequent locations” function in the iPhone. The feature, which can be easily disabled, tracks users’ locations in order to determine the locations they visit most frequently. All sorts of privacy concerns arose, naturally, but none were quite as intense as the warnings issued on Friday morning by state broadcasters in China.
According to the broadcast, Apple’s iPhone has been deemed a “national security concern” by state-sponsored media. China Central Television issued the broadcast and said that according to Chinese researchers, data collected by the iPhone’s frequent locations feature could compromise “state secrets” if accessed by unauthorized people.
The Wall Street Journal noted that in the past, companies have changed their policies or even recalled products following critical reports from the China Central Television, because the network is so influential.
