Apple Responds to Controversy, Quickly Tries to Change the Subject

Apple, which has come under fire for collecting location data about iPhone users for the past year, has issued a statement saying plainly, “Apple is not tracking the location of your iPhone.” But, the statement contradicts, it kind of is and there’s a “bug” that they’re going to correct “shortly.”

The company hasn’t commented on the controversy before this statement. Privacy advocates, reporters, and others (YouGov’s BrandIndex shows that the company has lost some of its positive vibe over the issue) have been vocal about their outrage. But, as AllThingsD notes, some folks have called it “cool.” And because some people think just about everything Apple does is cool, the company’s crisis response can take days to kick in and then mostly just be an FAQ on its website. Who says a publicist’s job always has to be stressful?

Also announced today, the white iPhone will be available tomorrow and the iPad 2 is going to be available in a number of international locations tomorrow and Friday. Crisis comms tip: create a diversion.

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