iPhone transmits IMEI number to Apple

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – we love love us some conspiracy theories. The ‘nets are abuzz with talk about tin-foil hats and the iPhone sending sensitive information to Apple’s servers. You see, the iPhone’s Stocks and Weather apps have been discovered to be sending your iPhone’s IMEI number (your handset’s wireless network serial number), IP address and stock quote preferences to Apple’s Cupertino, CA. servers.

The fact that the iPhone is sending your information to Apple is not in question, but the conspiracy-lovers out there are freakin’ out about Apple gathering information for “evil” means – Apple could be conspiring to gather information on iPhone users’ travels, finances, web-surfing habits, etc. Hackers are already working to hack the application in question to send erroneous information back to Apple – in the meantime, some iPhone users out there are simply deleting the Stocks and Weather apps from their iPhones.

And just to be clear, Apple has already made sure that you forfeited your right to privacy with their ToS:

When you interact with Apple, we may collect personal information relevant to the situation, such as your name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and contact preferences; your credit card information and information about the Apple products you own, such as their serial numbers and date of purchase; and information relating to a support or service issue. 

Are Apple’s intentions truly “evil?” Or is Apple merely registering their iPhone fleet on providence? We’re not sure – we’ll let the conspiracy nuts hash it out.

[Via: iPhone Central]