Do you have an iPhone or a 3G iPad? Well, if you do, that is the case.

It looks like ever since iOS4 was released, both devices have been keeping a record of your location within a hidden file on the device.

It’s not sure, however, what the point of this mass data collection is but it looks to be intentional as the location databases are backed up and are automatically transferred with phone migration.

The file where this information is stored is unencrypted and unprotected so it can easily be accessed if your phone falls into the wrong hands and they can get an approximation of your location for the past year, since the release of iOS4.

However, should people be as worried?

I think not. Why? simply because most of us share our location willingly. Facebook Places, Foursquare, etc…

Besides, it’s not like Apple is the first company to do this. Who knows what Google has got on you or what any other major company has on you for that matter?

Either way, it’s interesting what Apple might be needing this information for. Maybe some way to overhaul its iOS?

The discovery is discussed in this video: