Apple Prepping iOS 4.3.3 to Fix iPhone Tracking 'Bug'

In the wake of Apple's iPhone location tracking controversy, Apple is working on iOS 4.3.3, a new version of its operating system that will directly address the public's concerns with this tracking database.

Several weeks ago, researchers discovered that iOS based devices, including the iPhone and GSM-enabled iPad, compile a database of the general areas where the smartphone or tablet has been. Apple responded a week later by saying that the database is not tracking the iPhones, but maintaining a database of nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots in order to make quick calculations for its location services. This information is supposed to delete itself when that data is no longer necessary. However, it does not, and the company has promised to fix this bug.

The fix will reportedly come in iOS 4.3.3, which is expected to be released in the next two weeks. This new version will still compile the database of nearby tower locations, but will reduce the size and delete the entire contents as soon as location services are turned off.

Lots of Updates
Since Apple released iOS 4.3 in mid-March, and despite this being a fairly minor upgrade has already had to release two small updates to fix problems in it. As Apple is a company that normally strives to get it right the first time, it's very unusual for it to have to release multiple patches within a few weeks time.

Source