Let’s look at the data that Apple and Google each have at their disposal:
- Precise information on the when and where of the movement of their customers.
- A database of the location of WiFi routers by MAC address that is being constantly updated that they can use to connect wireless and wired behaviour.
- Network access data. Google knows what everyone searches for by IP and by cookie.
- Credit card data. As of March 2011, Apple has over 200 million active credit card numbers on file each attached to an apple ID, which you have to have associated with your iPhone in order to use the app store.
- Search history data (even via so-called Private Browsing).
- IP and geolocation account login data (either through Gmail or me.com in Apple’s case).
if i had to pitch to samsung, i'd say their next big android product should be completely dark. offer consumers a way to use their smartphones secure in the knowledge that they're not being tracked, not being profiled, not being logged. the way RIM used to do with their BBM service, pre-RIM meltdown.