Apple vs privacy

at around evening time on Saturday, the 4th of March 2006 by Chad

Unconscious jogger identified through iPod

Various San Francisco-based news outlets reported this week that police identified an unconscious jogger, who was an apparent hit-run-victim, by contacting Apple Computer and getting information from the iPod she was carrying.

Good call. Pretty stupid of the woman not to carry any ID. It’s people like that who are going to make mandatory RFID implants a reality. But then the author of this particular story goes off on a privacy tangent…

But we couldn’t help but wonder under what circumstances Apple releases such information. Did the police have to get a warrant? What if my iPod was left behind at a crime scene? Would I be considered a suspect or linked to the case in any way?

So… the woman is hit by a car. Family, friends, and neighbors are all worried and upset. The police make a completely reasonable request to Apple, who complies with potentially life saving information.
But oh no, how horrible it is that the company helped out in this instance! No company should ever comply with the police no matter what is happening.

Bah… kudos to the cops on this one. Rasberry to the article author…