Researchers discovered this week that the iPhones and iPads constantly track the location data of the phone and save this information to a file on the user's computer when the user plugs in the phone to sync.

The file, named consolidated.db, contains the GPS coordinates of the phone, presumably for technical support or in case the phone is lost or stolen. But Apple claims they do not use the file and do not even have access to it. It is likely the result of a scrapped project or might involve new features requiring your location history.

Hackers with access to either the iPhone or the computer that the phone is synced with can open the file and see where the individual has been since June of 2010, when iOS 4.0 was released, which included the tracking capability. The researchers released a software package that enables users to see where the phone has been, available here http://petewarden.github.com/iPhoneTracker/.

What's more, users cannot delete this file or opt out of the tracking. Even if removed from the computer, the file is replaced every time the phone is synced. Jailbroken phones, or phones which have had the Apple operating system replaced in order to run custom, unapproved software, can download an app from the Cydia application repository that prevents the file from ever being created.

The problem with this kind of tracking is two-fold. First, anyone or any other program with access to your computer can view this information and browse through your travels over the past year. The second problem is more fundamental. Why is Apple collecting this information at all? Typically, it is the cellular provider that collects this information, storing it behind a firewall, which requires a court order for access. This file, however, is available to anyone who can get their hands on your computer or phone.

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