Apple told Congress it collects location information about users of the iPhone, iPad and Mac computers in batches and encrypts it before sending it over a WiFi connection from the device to Apple’s servers every 12 hours, reports “eWeek” (http://macosg.me/2/kd).

Apple said its iPhone, iPad and Mac computers collect location information, but do so anonymously in batches and encrypt it before sending the data over a WiFi connection from the devices to Apple’s servers every 12 hours. Apple’s info was in response to a list of questions from U.S. Reps. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe L. Barton (R-Texas).

Last month the Congressmen sent Apple a letter demanding to know about the company’s practice of collecting, storing and sharing the location of users’ mobile devices. Apple, which will not let users download any applications from the iTunes store without agreeing to the new terms and conditions, shares location data with application providers when consumers opt in to providers’ location services.