Apple said it isn’t sharing the location information of iPhone or iPad users with AT&T or other operators, but it has been collecting anonymous location-based data, including Wi-Fi access point data, since January 2008.

“Apple is committed to giving our customers clear notice and control over their information, and we believe our products do this in a simple and elegant way,” said Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell.

Apple’s comments about its privacy policy came in a letter to Representatives Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), who questioned the company about its privacy policy last month after Apple’s updated terms and conditions suggested it is collecting and sharing data containing the precise geographic locations of consumers using iPads, iPhones and other Apple products.

Saying consumer consent is the key to assessing the adequacy of privacy protections, Markey said he appreciated Apple’s response and would continue to closely monitor the issue.

Barton issued a similar response, saying that while he applauded Apple for responding to his questions, he remained concerned about privacy policies “that run on for pages and pages.”

Calling the collection and use of location information “particularly disconcerting,” Barton said consumers must be made aware of the collection of location-based data and must consent to its disclosure.