Why Do iPhones Collect Location Data?

Apple has dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s. The Cupertino company explained why iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro collect location data without their owners’ permission.

Earlier, journalist Brian Krebs stated that contrary to Apple’s privacy policy, the company’s latest smartphones send user location data when Location Services feature is disabled. Apple responded quite briefly saying that such activity does not pose any threat to user privacy. No more comments on the topic were made.

Two days after the article on KrebsOnSecurity was published, the company eventually decided to explain why that was happening. Latest iPhone models use ultra-broadband technology. It provides devices with spatial awareness and allows them to know where other devices with similar technology are located.

Now, this feature is used mainly for sharing files wirelessly via AirDrop. There are rumors that this technology can become a part of the Find My iPhone feature.

According to Apple,

Ultra-broadband technology is an industry standard technology and is subject to international regulatory requirements that require it to be deactivated in certain places. iOS uses location services to help determine if the iPhone is in these prohibited locations to disable ultra-broadband and comply with regulations.