A US Senate panel is reportedly set to question representatives from Apple and Google on what actions the companies plan to take to protect consumers' privacy while using mobile devices. According to Sen. Al Franken, Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, the hearing is the first step in making certain that federal laws protecting consumers' privacy keep pace with advances in technology. This is particularly so in the context of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and cell phones.
Franken further said that, while advances in mobile technology let Americans stay connected, the same know-how allows the devices to gather sensitive information about users, including recording their movements.
The hearing follows revelations by British researchers and the Wall Street Journal that the iPhone and Android smartphones may transmit user location data to Apple and Google, respectively.
However, according to Google spokesperson Chris Gaither, the company gives users notice and control over all location collection and sharing on Android-powered gadgets.
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