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GPS and Wifi Geo Tracking
Copyright 2011 Technoids.com
Your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Mac Computer is Tracking You
The Nuts and Bolts Behind Apple's Geo Tracking Applies to iOS 4.0 to 4.2.1
On a jailbroken iDevice using an SSH console or SFTP the file consolidated.db
is here /private/var/root/Library/Caches/locationd/consolidated.db
and here /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreLocation.framework/Support/consolidated.db
Here is a quick forensics analysis
Download the FireFox SQLite Manager plug-in here to view the raw data ( 10's of thousands of entries )
Here is a free Mac application that maps the information from the iTunes hidden backup of consolidated.db
How to Disable Location Tracking on a Jailbroken iDevice and Remove consolidated.db
Turn off the tracking process (locationd) using the SSH console
launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locationd.plist
SSH rm /private/var/root/Library/Caches/locationd/consolidated.db (It will start logging again on reboot)
SSH mv /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreLocation.framework/Support/consolidated.db
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreLocation.framework/Support/consolidated.db_
How to Disable Location Tracking on a Non Jailbroken iDevice
From the touch screen in Settings>General>Location Services> Location Services OFF
Unfortunately you can't delete consolidated.db on the iDevice and it is contained in the iTunes backup
Updated Info iOS 4.3.3 - iOS 5.X iTunes no longer backs up consolidated.db and data logging retention is down from a year to 7 days
How to Disable Location Tracking on a Mac Computer
If you are using Snow Leopard, and don't want your Mac transmitting location data, open your System Preferences and select Security>General>Disable Location Services.
How to Find consolidated.db on a MAC After Syncing Your iDevice
Follow these instructions. A script to delete it will be available here soon.
How to opt out of interest-based ads from the iAd network (may or may not work)
Personally profiled ads are directed to you, based on a number of tracking tricks by Apple and their partners.
Findout more here
Protect Your Privacy - 2 Must Have Apps
Little Snitch Firewall for Macs
IP Firewall for Jailbroken only iDevices using Cydia
How to disable Safari Location Services as well ONLY on Mac
Not available on iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad ? N/A for AppleTV
Sample map from 3rd party iPhone
Location Tracking cleanup and tools are available at ZeroTracks.com
FireFox SQLite Manager plug-in > Database consolidated.db > Table CellLocation > Fields
Jailbreaking allows access to the core iOS on iDevices to install non Apple approved apps and allow customization
