The issue in one of the cases (San Bernardino) had nothing to do with iCloud data, and everything to do with the data on the device itself. The FBI request was a backdoor into the device. Apple (rightly) refused to add a backdoor to access the phone.
You are referencing data that goes to Apple’s iCloud servers, which Apple was happy to provide because they held the encryption keys. Since then, they have enabled an E2E encryption feature for iCloud data.
I am happy to discuss Apple’s shortcomings, but let’s be clear on which ones we’re discussing
Is this separate from Advanced Data Protection, which is E2E encrypted data on iCloud?
“Don’t track privacy type settings” isn’t very descriptive, so apologies if I’m sounding any way I’m just trying to be clear about what the complaint here is.
And to be clear, is this a privacy concern exclusive to Apple?
Totally unrelated to the E2E, I will have to search for it. It was a year or two ago. Apple claimed turning off the data collection kept your use private to you, but was just a lie, they collected all your data anyway.
And yes, its an IPhone setting not an android setting. Google is another issue.
This should be it , and somewhere I have a podcast feed about all the details
The iPhone Analytics setting makes an explicit promise. Turn it off, and Apple says that it will “disable the sharing of Device Analytics altogether.” However,
While the amount of data gathered is concerning, the type of data is still considered telemetry, which you still agree to have them collect when accepting the terms and conditions of the App Store.
That isn’t to say I’m happy Apple is doing this, but I wanted to start by making that distinction: Apple isn’t “ignoring” your preference to turn off personalized ads, it’s collecting telemetry data which you’ve already given them permission to do when signing up for and using the App Store. The issue with this telemetry data from a privacy perspective is the amount and the fact that it can still be used to identify a user. These are rightly concerning.
It looks like a class-action suit was brought against them for this, and as of September of 2024 a judge trimmed some of the claims, but refused to toss out the suit meaning Apple has to defend themselves. Unfortunately that’s all the information I can find. Do you have anything from after that point? I’m only asking because I don’t and would like to know how it’s going.
Sucks Apple is doing this for sure, but at this point unfortunately it doesn’t seem to violate any existing agreements (would like to see how the class-action progresses to confirm this) and there is still no sign that they’re selling this data or using it to deliver you personalized ads. Pending the results of the suit I’m gonna have to reiterate that even with this, they’re absolutely the lesser evil. But still an evil.
I have to search through two years of podcasts LOL. The issue is the setting misinforms the user. On: we collect your dara, off: we don’t. But they still were. Had they had no toggle it would fall under TOS. But giving a person a facade of choice is dubious
Looking beyond just podcasts, the terms and conditions of the App Store itself are what covers collection of this data. I agree with you an argument could be made that the user is being misinformed or misled, and am not going to defend Apple doing that. But there’s a conflation being made I think behind device data collection settings vs App Store terms and conditions telemetry data, and what data is being collected based on each.
In other words, shady practices for sure but this might be (at least partially) a case of sensationalism over a misunderstanding of what kind of data the device settings and App Store terms and conditions cover, and which terms we’re talking about.
The issue in one of the cases (San Bernardino) had nothing to do with iCloud data, and everything to do with the data on the device itself. The FBI request was a backdoor into the device. Apple (rightly) refused to add a backdoor to access the phone.
You are referencing data that goes to Apple’s iCloud servers, which Apple was happy to provide because they held the encryption keys. Since then, they have enabled an E2E encryption feature for iCloud data.
I am happy to discuss Apple’s shortcomings, but let’s be clear on which ones we’re discussing
Its the don’t track privacy type settings where you opt out, research found it was a toggle button that did nothing.
They only tout privacy to gain market, they would sell us out for a dollar
Is this separate from Advanced Data Protection, which is E2E encrypted data on iCloud?
“Don’t track privacy type settings” isn’t very descriptive, so apologies if I’m sounding any way I’m just trying to be clear about what the complaint here is.
And to be clear, is this a privacy concern exclusive to Apple?
Totally unrelated to the E2E, I will have to search for it. It was a year or two ago. Apple claimed turning off the data collection kept your use private to you, but was just a lie, they collected all your data anyway.
And yes, its an IPhone setting not an android setting. Google is another issue.
Ok please let me know when you have more information I am very interested to know.
This should be it , and somewhere I have a podcast feed about all the details
https://gizmodo.com/apple-iphone-analytics-tracking-even-when-off-app-store-1849757558
While the amount of data gathered is concerning, the type of data is still considered telemetry, which you still agree to have them collect when accepting the terms and conditions of the App Store.
That isn’t to say I’m happy Apple is doing this, but I wanted to start by making that distinction: Apple isn’t “ignoring” your preference to turn off personalized ads, it’s collecting telemetry data which you’ve already given them permission to do when signing up for and using the App Store. The issue with this telemetry data from a privacy perspective is the amount and the fact that it can still be used to identify a user. These are rightly concerning.
It looks like a class-action suit was brought against them for this, and as of September of 2024 a judge trimmed some of the claims, but refused to toss out the suit meaning Apple has to defend themselves. Unfortunately that’s all the information I can find. Do you have anything from after that point? I’m only asking because I don’t and would like to know how it’s going.
Sucks Apple is doing this for sure, but at this point unfortunately it doesn’t seem to violate any existing agreements (would like to see how the class-action progresses to confirm this) and there is still no sign that they’re selling this data or using it to deliver you personalized ads. Pending the results of the suit I’m gonna have to reiterate that even with this, they’re absolutely the lesser evil. But still an evil.
Still possible but also still unfounded, so far.
I have to search through two years of podcasts LOL. The issue is the setting misinforms the user. On: we collect your dara, off: we don’t. But they still were. Had they had no toggle it would fall under TOS. But giving a person a facade of choice is dubious
Looking beyond just podcasts, the terms and conditions of the App Store itself are what covers collection of this data. I agree with you an argument could be made that the user is being misinformed or misled, and am not going to defend Apple doing that. But there’s a conflation being made I think behind device data collection settings vs App Store terms and conditions telemetry data, and what data is being collected based on each.
In other words, shady practices for sure but this might be (at least partially) a case of sensationalism over a misunderstanding of what kind of data the device settings and App Store terms and conditions cover, and which terms we’re talking about.