BC Woman Sues Apple Alleging Privacy and Security Rights Violations of Owners of iPhone, iPad and iPod

[Wetcoaster]

Amanda Ladas of Surrey is seeking to have her lawsuit against Apple certified as a class action alleging the tracking capabilities built in to the the iPhone, iPad and iPod pose serious dangers.

Supporting her claim is well-known geographic profiler Dr. Kim Rossmo as well as several other experts.

An administrative assistant from Surrey is taking a legal run at electronics behemoth Apple — and is seeking to make her lawsuit a class-action suit.

In a class-action application filed Tuesday in B.C. Supreme Court, Amanda Ladas charges that Apple has violated the privacy and security rights of owners of the iPhone, iPad and iPod.

Ladas and her son Jackson charge that the tracking device in the three mobile devices provided the capacity for strangers to follow their movements without her knowledge or consent.

“Ladas is concerned that, without her permission, anyone with moderate computer knowledge can find out where she’s been,” said spokeswoman Laura Ballance in announcing the class-action application, filed in court Tuesday along with four reports from experts.

“The claim alleges that Apple has violated the privacy and security rights of users of its products by the design, production, distribution and/or operation of iOS4, and has engaged in deceptive acts or practices that have the capability, tendency or effect of deceiving or misleading class members and that these practices entitle members of the class to aggravated, punitive and/or exemplary damages.”

The potential for a class-action suit is huge, with possible co-complainants being the owners of anywhere from two to seven million Apple devices in Canada using the iOS4 operating system.

Ladas has retained the Vancouver law firm of Ganapathi and Company.

Supporting documents filed with the lawsuit include extensive reports from four experts in digital forensics examination, information security, networking and systems administration, geographic profiling and clinical and forensic psychology.

In his report, geographic profiling expert Kim Rossmo states that the devices open up the potential for strangers or even criminals to prey on users.

“Criminal access to a user’s backup file, either through theft or by hacking, increases his or her exposure to victimization,” writes Rossmo.

“More sophisticated criminal groups could use this information to determine when someone was likely to be present or away from certain locations such as their home.

“It would be disastrous if a user’s backup file fell into the hands of a stalker.

“For certain individuals at risk of extortion, kidnapping or terrorism because of their social, work or political position, the implications of a stolen file are even more sinister.”

Rossmo sums up his 30-page report with a reference to a famous Apple ad: “In 1984, the world was introduced to the Apple Macintosh computer by a now famous Super Bowl commercial which depicted a female heroine resisting the tyranny of Big Brother.

“In George Orwell’s dystopian novel, Big Brother was the omniscient head of a totalitarian government. In 2012, we must be careful that Big Business does not take the place of Big Brother.”

At press time, Apple Inc. officials had not responded to a request for comment.

http://www.theprovin...l#ixzz2AqGzGBQO

Here is the supporting materials:

Dr. Kim Rossmo:

http://www.scribd.co...s-vs-Apple-case

Francis Graf, a Digital Forensics Examiner:

http://www.scribd.co...s-vs-Apple-case

Eric Smith, an Information Security and Networking Systems Admnistration expert:

http://www.scribd.co...s-vs-Apple-case

Dr. Michael Elterman, a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist:

http://www.scribd.co...s-vs-Apple-case

[Dazzle]

I'd like to see the tracking devices actually being used for stolen/lost Ipod Touches.

My home address was in one of the internet browser windows, via Google Maps.

Person could have definitely returned it at said address but obviously chose to keep it for himself/herself.

[nux4lyfe]

She won't see a penny, Money talks.

[Five For Fighting]

Or she could turn off location services...

[Wetcoaster]

Or she could turn off location services...

[Dellins]

Why won't it read!?

[Ghostsof1915]

People in Texas are freaking out over UN observers for their elections

http://thehill.com/b...ction-observers

or

UAV's in US airspace

http://www.bbc.co.uk...nology-20139093

and we're getting RFID chips in our Passports as of July 1st, 2013

http://www.ppt.gc.ca...ang=eng&id=q810

And she's worried about Apple?

[KFBR392]

Where do I sign up?

[Butters Stoch]

Sounds like somebody's been cheating on her husband

[MoneypuckOverlord]

anyone using an iphone can you answer me this question.

Can this feature be disabled as in, your phone can't be tracked? Thanks. Like an on off switch. I'm curious. Thanks.

Right now it's

“Ladas is concerned that, without her permission, anyone with moderate computer knowledge can find out where she’s been,”

[MoneypuckOverlord]

Also how in the world did she go and find the following people?

Dr. Kim Rossmo:

Francis Graf, a Digital Forensics Examiner:

Eric Smith, an Information Security and Networking Systems Admnistration expert:

Dr. Michael Elterman, a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist:

like how the hell did she even know where to start? Forensic Psychologist? WTF!!! hahahahahahahah this seems more like a set up between the 5 people. Also how the hell did they even find that information? Even my friend who is a program developer wouldn't know how to do this.

[GoaltenderInterference]

anyone using an iphone can you answer me this question.

Can this feature be disabled as in, your phone can't be tracked? Thanks. Like an on off switch. I'm curious. Thanks.

Right now it's

Well, at any given moment, we can be tracked without knowing right? So maybe I can sue Nokia's symbian maybe?

[goalie13]

Isn't it common knowledge that these devices have this capability? So if she didn't want the risk of being tracked, she could have simply not purchased the device.

[MoneypuckOverlord]

I thougth that service is only available if you purchased it right?

I recall when I was with my friend purchasing 3 ipads, the sales rep asked me if I wanted the tracking feature, which can help me locate the ipad??? So if she didn't purchase this it wouldn't be a problem right?

[hockeyville88]

Apple must see a million of these lawsuits and they probably have a ready-to-go team of elite lawyers who have all their defences at the ready. Doubt anything will come of this.

[MoneypuckOverlord]

Apple must see a million of these lawsuits and they probably have a ready-to-go team of elite lawyers who have all their defences at the ready. Doubt anything will come of this.

[Wetcoaster]

Also how in the world did she go and find the following people?

Dr. Kim Rossmo:

Francis Graf, a Digital Forensics Examiner:

Eric Smith, an Information Security and Networking Systems Admnistration expert:

Dr. Michael Elterman, a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist:

like how the hell did she even know where to start? Forensic Psychologist? WTF!!! hahahahahahahah this seems more like a set up between the 5 people. Also how the hell did they even find that information? Even my friend who is a program developer wouldn't know how to do this.

[Wetcoaster]

I agree. Just like when we actually sign up for facebook, in the agreement it actually sais that facebook will share and give your private information away at anytime anywhere and any place! It's right in the agreement.

Apple probably has something hidden in the fine print, that will protect their asses from stuff like this eg (we are not responsible for your safety and well being etc etc etc)

[Pouria]

Apple must see a million of these lawsuits and they probably have a ready-to-go team of elite lawyers who have all their defences at the ready. Doubt anything will come of this.

[n00bxQb]

Apple almost 29 years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhsWzJo2sN4

Now they're big brother.