Lawmakers ask Apple to explain iPhone's tracking function

Following up on yesterday's revelation of the Big Brother tracking capability of the iPhone and iPad, lawmakers are asking Apple to explain what data is collected, and at least one is calling for an inquiry.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the House Energy and Commerce committee and its former chairman, sent a letter today asking Apple to confirm the report and explain by May 12 how the data file works.

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) sent Apple a similar letter Wednesday.

The Wall Street Journal points out that Apple disclosed in a letter to Markey's committee last summer that the phone automatically transmits to itself information on a user's location.

Tech pundit Andy Ihnatko offers a "few reality checks" about what the iPhone is/isn't logging and why:

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