THE DEVELOPMENT: South Korea’s communications regulator has fined Apple nearly $3,000 for what it says is the illegal collection of iPhone user location information.
THE FALLOUT: The amount is insignificant for Apple, but the decision could influence regulators elsewhere. Apple Inc. has faced various complaints following revelations in the U.S. in April that iPhones were storing the locations of nearby cellphone towers and Wi-Fi hot spots.
APPLE RESPONSE: The company says it doesn’t track the location of iPhones. Rather, it says it records the location of Wi-Fi hot spots and cell towers to improve service. It says tracking can be turned off.
