14 DAY TRIAL // The iPhone has a major security flaw, as it can collect and send all of its user's personal data to anybody interested in it. This means that all that the phone's owner has done with the device over the past period is encrypted in the device, making it possible for other people to decode the data and use all this information in any way he might wish.
The iPhone stores bits of code, such as IMEI, IP address, and companies you are interested in, to an Apple server via the Weather and Stocks applications. This can be a valuable source of information for the handset's producer on how many iPhones have been unlocked, their distribution around the globe and even the user's preferences and habits.
Research firms can use this data in order to reach a specific target and best match the iPhone user profile with its interests. This might not be a critical issue with the handset, but makes another intrusion from Apple on its customers. The company's decision of keeping the handset locked to specific carriers has led to a conflict between them and hackers trying to unlock it. Moreover, the recent decision of selling only two iPhones to each customers and only through credit card has also been rather demeaning and unusual in the eyes of many customers.
Apple keeps its back clean on the new data collecting matter, as it stated that "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".
But who stops the user from reading Software License Agreements word by word, anyway? Few customers have and are not aware of Apple's rights over their personal data.