Discussion Apple brings much needed privacy improvements with iOS 14

[Siva]

Google on Tuesday responded to claims that it might be skirting new iOS privacy safeguards by refusing to update its suite of apps, saying that plans are in place to furnish that information in pending updates.

Google to add privacy information to iOS app suite as soon as this week | AppleInsider

 

[Siva]

Apple’s Fraudulent Website Warning is designed to alert you when you’re about to visit a website that is known to host malware, or that is believed to be a phishing site. Previously, that check consulted a database hosted on a Google server, but as of iOS 14.5 it instead uses an Apple proxy to better protect user privacy.

Fraudulent Website Warning gets privacy boost in iOS 14.5 - 9to5Mac

 

[Siva]

Google has an unspecified “handful” of iOS apps that need to be disclosed under Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) policy, and would require users to click “Allow Tracking” or “Ask App Not to Track” before being able to proceed.

Rather than having to show that prompt, Google will stop using a device’s unique IDFA (Identifier For Advertisers) when ATT goes into effect early this year, and thus be “in line with Apple’s guidance.” Of course, Google presumably has other tracking methods, while everything in their stack is technically considered first-party. The company also reiterated that its services will get App Privacy labels as they are updated.

Google apps won't have to show iOS 'Allow tracking' prompt - 9to5Google

Finally, Google started pushing updates to its apps, starting with YouTube. They have updated the data collection details. Understandably, it's everything.

 

[Siva]

Google today quietly added App Privacy labels to its Gmail app, marking the first of its major apps to receive the privacy details aside from YouTube.

Though App Privacy information has been added to Gmail, Google has done so server side and has yet to issue an update to the Gmail app. It has been two months since the Gmail app last saw an update.

Google Finally Adds App Privacy Labels to Gmail App

 

[Siva]

The much debated privacy option is here.

Turning the option "Off" altogether will stop the prompt from each app that wants to track as well!

 

[Siva]

Despite Apple's App Tracking Transparency, some apps continue to track users who opted out. The developers found alternate methods like fingerprinting and probabilistic to do this. Apple may face law suits for making false claims and promises, if this continues.

Apps are still tracking iOS users despite Apple's claim about App Tracking Transparency

Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature was launched in iOS 14.5 and is supposed to prevent those who don't want to be tracked by third-parties from receiving online ads.

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