Senator Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, says Apple and Google have agreed to meet with him to discuss a privacy loophole on smartphones that gives apps unfettered access to people’s personal photos.
The New York Times reported last week that developers could take photos from Apple mobile and Google Android devices without the phone owners knowing that the images were being taken. In Apple’s case, developers can also obtain the location information for each photo.
Mr. Schumer said in a telephone interview that his office had spoken with officials at both Apple and Google on Monday.
“We asked them if they could find a way on their own to prevent apps from having access to private info,” Mr. Schumer said. “They were friendly and open to the idea that this ought to be changed.”
A Google spokeswoman, Gina Scigliano, said the company had nothing further to share at that time. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
On Sunday, Mr. Schumer said that he planned to send a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking the agency to investigate Apple and Google after the privacy concerns came to light. Claudia Bourne Farrell, an F.T.C. spokeswoman, said the agency had received the letter but she could not comment further.
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