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Apple's new iPhone and iPad security feature limits cell networks from collecting precise location data (techcrunch.com)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/apple_enthusiast@lemmy.world
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[–] 11 points 9 months ago (9 children)

OK, so what are they doing (wasn't explained in the article).

Because it's pretty easy to triangulate a phone just from the towers themselves - multiple towers pickup a phone, then based on signal strength and direction from each tower it's location can be pretty closely determined.

And with 5G cells being even smaller (often 1/4 mile in urban areas), the radio signal alone, triangulated, will locate you within a meter - the phone doesn't have to do anything other than be on.

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  • [–] 8 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    I imagine the OS is intentionally varying TX strength on the cell radio to spoof precise location detection from the tower network, since that would be the only way to meet the stated goal.

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  • [–] 0 points 9 months ago

    This would only work if there's one cell tower within range of the phone, which is unlikely. It also wouldn't help much because you already can't triangulate with just one tower.

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago (3 children)

    the radio signal alone, triangulated, will locate you within a meter

    I'm pretty sure that only works in perfect conditions, i.e. outside, no obstacles or walls.

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  • [–] 4 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    Radio towers are all ready adjusted to the location where they are setup. The signal to you phone has already taken into account bounces, amount of buildings, material on the buildings, how it effects the amplitude, wavelength, signal strength and disruption. And the signal is adjusted to take all those things into account, relative good to send you 5g frequencies with minor issues. They have no issue triangulating phones, trust me.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago (1 child)

    Okay, according to this somewhat recent paper, chapter VI, C., static "obstructions" (e.g. buildings) can be put into a model and «precise position estimates» can be calculated «even in obstructed line-of-sight scenarios». Emphasis on "estimates". But it's only talking about one obstruction, not multiple in a complex arrangement. But, of course, the more BTSes receive you, the better the prediction.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago

    It's a whole science there are multiple techniques involved. Looking up stuff like Path Loss should be a start if you are intressted, you can also probably read the 5G protocol from Ericsson or Qualcomm, to find more details of their capabilities.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_loss https://www.berec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/document_register_store/2020/11/Ericsson%20_Presentation_BEREC_TWTI_12112020.pdf

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  • [+] [S] 2 points 9 months ago (3 children)
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  • [–] 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    Wikipedia says that enhanced 911 (e911) on cell phones can send location data, as collected by your phone, to a server which emergency operators can access. They can also use cell tower triangulation, but it appears that they don't have to. And I'm pretty sure modern iPhones support e911

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