Apple Responds to Facebook's Anti-Tracking Criticism, Says Users Deserve Control and Transparency

[Abazigal]

Someone please clarify this for me, it says that Facebook will track you across "Websites and apps". I get that they will know what I am doing in their app but will they be able to see what is in my email, my Safari browsing, my Apple TV, YouTube watch history, SMS?!

All the Ways Facebook Tracks You—and How to Limit It

If you have a Facebook account—and even if you don't—the company is going to collect data about you. But you can at least control how it gets used.

www.wired.com

Site owners are able to build a profile of the people who visit them, which is in turn shared with Facebook to build an even more extensive profile of their users. And don't forget that Facebook owns a slew of apps as well, most notably WhatsApp.

And I am sure the article is only scratching the surface of what Facebook is doing here.

 

[kimnkk]

If Apple really wants to give users a “choice”, it shouldn’t be limited to advertising. Give me a choice of app stores or default messaging apps.

You do have a choice, its called android. dont let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[User-One]

Does Facebook also believe your local plumber should be able to dig through your underwear drawer so they can post advertisements for panties on your bill

 

[lyngo]

Does Facebook also believe your local plumber should be able to dig through your underwear drawer so they can post advertisements for panties on your bill

Only if it is a small business. 😂

 

[Jerhen]

You go Apple!!! I’m with Apple 100%

 

[carletonguy]

Facebook is epically stupid on this one. This is the court of public opinion, and I have a hard time seeing how they win an argument against giving users choice to how their “movements” online are tracked.

 

[Kabeyun]

“Anticompetitive” is the new thing a company says to try to get another company in trouble. And exactly how many tears are we supposed to shed for companies that profit from finding out who you are and what you do? Yes, people are collectively stupid, but does Facebook actually believe that no one will see through their completely self-serving bull? They’re a joke.

 

[HiVolt]

this. But we need another alternative. Perhaps Apple should create a social network with how they view privacy and security

There's no money in it. Apple may be all for privacy and all that stuff, but they aren't provide a service they cannot monetize.

 

[Cosmosent]

Apple will very easily win this battle !

 

[mejsric]

Someone please clarify this for me, it says that Facebook will track you across "Websites and apps". I get that they will know what I am doing in their app but will they be able to see what is in my email, my Safari browsing, my Apple TV, YouTube watch history, SMS?!

yes, thats the reason why if you searching for laundry soaps, more Tides ads on your FB. they also profile you by I.P ad, they can sneak on your other devices too.

 

[mannyvel]

Facebook is worried that people will opt-out of tracking.

But really, all facebook has to do is prompt people to turn tracking back on or refuse to start.

See? The solution is easy!

In any case better methods of tracking are possible, it's just that facebook needs to implement them - and they'd be way behind others in the marketplace. Right now they get that data for free with their apps. If they did what others do they'd need to be embedded in a constellation of apps, which they sort of have via their SDK.

Taking a step back, though, the assumption that Facebook's ad business is based on is that Facebook's targeting tools actually work and provide value. In many cases that assumption is totally bogus (see one of the recent freakonomics podcasts)...but Facebook needs that assumption to survive. If their tracking stuff is eliminated and there is no real effec then Facebook's "technology" is pretty worthless and has no real value-add. That's really the existential threat to Facebook's ad business.

 

[TVreporter]

I’m surprised Apple hasn’t tried to create their own social network.

 

[paulvee]

this. But we need another alternative. Perhaps Apple should create a social network with how they view privacy and security

I remember eWorld...

 

[macman01101]

The amount of ignorance and reflexive tribalism on this forum is astounding. It's not about picking sides or sticking to a team - it's about protecting your privacy.

Facebook and Google are malware. Period. Their singular business model is to monetize every single thing about you, create insights and metadata based on what you do, and then sell it to the highest bidder. Worse, they're also building dossiers on you in their systems that will be authoritatively used against you in the future. Look no further than the current Chinese messaging platforms and social networks. If you think this is crazy, you're asleep.

It's sad and irresponsible that MacRumors presents Apple vs. Facebook as if it's some objective choice. To the editors - don't be shills. Don't be like the writers at 9to5Mac. Don't be ignorant.

If you care about your privacy and actually want to sincerely make your voice heard, I highly recommend supporting what the team over at Mozilla is doing. Sign the petition. Don't get sucked in to being one of those people that puts their pronouns in their twitter bio. Don't be afraid to think different.

Apple’s anti-tracking plans for iPhone

Apple plans to improve privacy on iPhone, but it’s already pushed back the implementation. Apple needs to hear that consumers want anti-tracking features as soon as possible.

foundation.mozilla.org

 

[doboy]

Don’t worry FB, you have Android devices to feed off of.

 

[applicious84]

As part of its response to Facebook, Apple emphasized that it welcomes in-app advertising and is not prohibiting tracking, but simply requiring apps to obtain explicit user consent in order to track users for personalized advertising purposes, providing users with more control and transparency. Apple said tracking can be invasive, and as a result, it believes users have the right to make choices about the permissions they grant to apps.

Imagine if that same explanation was used for its own default apps and apps that are automatically installed.

EU Introduces Strict Rules on Big Tech Companies to Promote Competition and Protect Users

Big tech companies, including Apple, Amazon, Google, and Facebook, could soon face new wide-reaching regulations in the European Union, under new...

www.macrumors.com

TBC, this is a good thing Apple is doing. Their practice is just hypocritical and self-serving. Of course, they're a corporation, and so many people here are fans of a corporation. So let's cheer about how much better Apple is than FB.

 

[harmoniumfarfisa]

Then why isn't Apple building those privacy measures into their OS?

Stop all tracking, and backdoors, apps calling in, etc. by virtue of the operating system creating a firewall, and an alternative method for membership services.

But this has to do with Apple too or else they're taking a stand just so they can have ownership of these data violations.

 

[uller6]

I wish Facebook would give me the choice to pay them a monthly fee so I can chat with my friends without seeing ANY ads whatsoever. A guy can dream...

 

[dogslobber]

The narrative of this is so wrong. In what world is it acceptable for an ad company to track users? You wouldn't allow a creeper to sneak about spying on you so why do FB think it's OK for Zuckerburg to spy on people going about their own business in cyberspace? He's a sicko.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I’m surprised Apple hasn’t tried to create their own social network.

Ping...but also Apple doesn’t want to be in the pennies for clicks business.

 

[genovelle]

If Apple really wants to give users a “choice”, it shouldn’t be limited to advertising. Give me a choice of app stores or default messaging apps.

Control is concerning privacy. If you want another App Store, buy a different phone. We buy Apple because it is secure, we like that they make money on apps that use their platform, because it ensures they continue to invest heavily into their platform providing more features every year. External 3rd party App Stores are full of counterfeit and malware titles on Android. They are why developers don’t make their money on Android. Android sells more devices but nowhere near as many legally paid apps. So, developers fight to Apple policies but don’t realize that without them the store could become unprofitable and subject to Apple chop block.

 

[1rottenapple]

Yet I have no way to opt out of being tracked? FB needs to take a chill pill. We are the ones affected by their creepy behavior. cry me a river.

 

[1rottenapple]

Exactly. If someone wants to get in touch with me, he or she can ask for my contact information, if he or she doesn’t have it already. I don’t care about being part of the social media melee. I stick to MacRumors for insight and intellectual fun.

While I don't have social media, I do have to say you do miss out on certain things happening within your circle that you do not know about. Anything from get togethers or inside jokes. But its a choice and I'd rather not engage in social media.

 

[Apleeseed84]

While I don't have social media, I do have to say you do miss out on certain things happening within your circle that you do not know about. Anything from get togethers or inside jokes. But its a choice and I'd rather not engage in social media.

This is my problem, some niched small social groups exist only in fb. Fb kind of replaced bb forums on stuff I was doing 10 years ago, it feels like everyone I know migrated but it’s definitely harder to reach other people without knowing their usernames from the get go because a lot of people I know are international and not easy to find like in the US

but to be honest if I need news on something fb let’s me know a product is out faster than someone writing a blog about it.

 

[DocPenguin]

What's really at stake here is the ignorance of the people. Average people use Facebook, blissfully unaware that the information they willingly provide is just the tip of the iceberg of their profile. Facebook has profited for years off of this ignorance. This move is just Facebook saying, "No Apple, please don't tell people the truth! They can't handle the truth, and neither can our bottom line!" I can't wait for the day people wake up and kick that genuinely evil corporation out of their lives. Society will be much better off without the nefarious influence of Facebook and their other social media giant peers.