In the U.S.
SAN FRANCISCO, USA, Sep 1 (Reuters/EP) -
Microsoft would track the location of its mobile phone users, even after they themselves have requested that the tracking software be disabled, according to a new lawsuit.
The proposed class-action lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Seattle federal court, says Microsoft intentionally designed camera software on the Windows Phone 7 operating system to ignore customer requests not to be tracked. A Microsoft representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
The lawsuit comes after it emerged this year that Apple's iPhones collected the location data and stored it for up to a year, even though the location software had allegedly been disabled. Apple created a patch to fix the problem.
At the time, the revelation sparked renewed scrutiny on the issue and on the relationship between a user's location and privacy.
At a hearing in May, U.S. lawmakers accused the tech industry of exploiting location data for marketing purposes — a potentially multibillion-dollar industry — without having the proper consent of millions of citizens.
The lawsuit against Microsoft cites a letter from the company sent to Congress, in which Microsoft said it collects geolocation data with the express consent of users. "Microsoft's statements to Congress are false," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of a Windows Phone 7 user, claims Microsoft transmits data — including approximate latitude and longitude coordinates of the user's device — when the camera app is activated.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction and compensation, among other reparations.
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