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Apple Updates iTunes Store Terms to Allow Opt-Out of iAd Data Collection

Robbadore64 said:
I'll opt-in. If I'm going to see advertisements I might as well see some for things I'm interested in. :rolleyes:
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That's my line of thinking. Advertising isn't inherently evil, as we've come to believe. If anything, targeted advertising can be, dare I say, useful. Take for example Leo Laporte's podcasts (TWiT and MBW). I signed up for Carbonite online backup because it was advertised by him. It filled a need that I had, and was something relevant to me (though not specifically targeted to me personally). Drobo also advertises on the TWiT network and if they've got a TWiT discount, I'll likely use it.

Also, my way of thinking is that Apple is going to control the ad stream. If they tell me what data is going to be collected, that's better than not knowing. If they collect the data and use it themselves, it's better that I know it's not going to be sold to a third party. If they use the data to show me ads that I'm interested in, chances are those ads will be less annoying and I might click a few of them.

Sites like daringfireball use ads from The Deck because they're carefully selected and non-obtrusive. They line up with the values of the sites they're run on. That seems to be the kind of ads that Apple cares to run with iAds anyway.
 
+1

newagemac said:
Uh for all you who don't care to read, opting out means you get non targeted ads, not no ads at all. The data collection is used to display ads tailored to your interests. Without it, you just get the regular often non relevant ads.
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Exactly. If you opt out you'll still get same amount of adds just targeted so I won't get adds about tampons lol. And as far is an invasion of privacy I'm not concerned that they can see what apps I've bought lol.
 
"Opt-Out of iAd Data Collection"

The terms do and the privacy policy do not say you're opting out of data collection -- they say you're opting out of tailored ads based on that data collection. This suggests iAd is still collecting the data.

I wonder how they track the opt-out. If it's by use of an opt-out cookie, you'll need to re-opt-out after every time you clear your cookies.
 
DesmoPilot said:
Albeit only (officially) with Chrome; Google has an official opt out extension and has for a while. On the unofficial side of things, for Firefox you can use noscript and block google analytics. Also, when you download Chrome you can opt out of other Data collection.
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We're talking about a phone here.
 
haenchensd said:
So does this mean they will not be serving the ads on devices which can not run iOS 4? Or is there another process outlined which allows users of older devices incapable of running iOS 4 from opting out?
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You will still get ads, they just will not be focused to what you like...
 
Actually, I'm NOT going to out-out. I'm going to be subjected to ads regardless, so I may as well let them attempt to show me things I am interested in.
I see it like going to a movie. I typically enjoy the trailers, because they know a little bit about my tastes by the film I'm watching.
 
OH NO! They're trying to sell me stuff!!!

You know - I don't get it. I like stuff. I buy stuff. I like knowing what stuff I can buy. So ads are OK with me. You know what, sometimes ads are entertaining! I know, crazy huh? These evil capitalists making ads that make me smile. I'm sure it's all part of one big trick though. They just want to make stuff that I like and offer to sell it to me so I'll buy it and then they'll go and make more stuff. Evil. Pure evil.

You know what I think. I'll tell you. I think anyone who makes a fuss over adverts should stop using Macrumors. It's paid for by advertising. So stop using it. And any other free services that are paid for by advertising. Go on. Go browse the paid-for-websites that have no advertising. . . . well, OK. Their aren't any. But someone will make some I'm sure. Cause capitalism and its advertising is really nasty and mean.

If anyone is selling a spare facetiousness module I could use a replacement. This one's all burnt out.
 
If Facebook had done this, everyone would be screaming that it was opt-out instead of opt-in (as in, you had to opt-in to the more relevant ads, with the default being no use of your information).

Personally, I don't care. I'd rather relevant ads than non-relevant ads as long as they don't share contact information such as my email address, etc so I'll stay opted in. But I wonder if the reaction is any different just because this is Apple???
 
longofest said:
If Facebook had done this, everyone would be screaming that it was opt-out instead of opt-in (as in, you had to opt-in to the more relevant ads, with the default being no use of your information).

Personally, I don't care. I'd rather relevant ads than non-relevant ads as long as they don't share contact information such as my email address, etc so I'll stay opted in. But I wonder if the reaction is any different just because this is Apple???
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Facebook did do this. The default settings on Facebook have you sharing a lot of personal data. In fact, far more than Apple would collect for advertising on the iPhone. There was a bit of media hype but in the end people just looked at their settings and changed them if they didn't like them.

This really isn't a big deal.
 
Blocking iAds Possible?

I don't know anything about the iAds infrastructure, but just out of curiosity, shouldn't there be a way to block them on an iPhone by using some sort of port-blocking app, or something that blocks a specific domain from the phone (if they're being served from a domain)? Obviously Apple would never let such an application in the App Store, but an independent developer could write it and install it on his/her phone (and potentially share the code, to let others do the same) outside of the App Store.

Edit: For further clarity, it would seem that if iOS is based on OS X, then there should be an etc/hosts file somewhere that could be edited, for example.
 
FoxyKaye said:
I don't know anything about the iAds infrastructure, but just out of curiosity, shouldn't there be a way to block them on an iPhone by using some sort of port-blocking app, or something that blocks a specific domain from the phone (if they're being served from a domain)? Obviously Apple would never let such an application in the App Store, but an independent developer could write it and install it on his/her phone (and potentially share the code, to let others do the same) outside of the App Store.

Edit: For further clarity, it would seem that if iOS is based on OS X, then there should be an etc/hosts file somewhere that could be edited, for example.
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There is indeed a hosts file and I have blocked Google Analytics and several of the ad servers in the hosts file on my jailbroken iPod touch.
 
So now just need to know how to opt out of all of the ads in the first place - I certainly won't retain any app that keeps telling me to buy "Wizzo Quality Assortment" all the time.
 
It should be opt-in rather than opt-out in my opinion, otherwise it's just preying on the ignorant an uninformed, just like the worst of Facebook etc.
 
""If you do not want to receive ads with this level of relevance on your mobile device, you can opt out by accessing the following link on your device: http://oo.apple.com. If you opt out, you will continue to receive the same number of mobile ads, but they may be less relevant because they will not be based on your interests. "


ROFLMAO! (MacRumors, you need a laughing 'smilies' emoticon)


Where is the 'opt out' in that Opt Out? :rolleyes:

Has to be the lamest opt out in the history of opt outs! That's like the government creating a "Do Not Call" list and exclude themselves during campaign season... I wonder what part of 'Do Not Call', they don't understand. I wonder what part of Opt Out Apple doesn't understand. I think I'll change my newsletter opt out policy. You'll still get a newsletter from me when you opt out, just not my newsletter! :rolleyes: :D ;) :eek:

C'mon Apple, you mean you're not better than that?
:confused:
:confused:
 
Ambiguous

The quotes pulled seem rather ambiguous to me.
Am I really opting out of having my personal data collected or just saying that I don't want them to use that data to decide what ads I see.
My interpretation is the later.
 
Where's the Opt Out of Advertising?

I'm thoroughly sick to death of being advertised at constantly, insidiously and utterly pervasively. Being prodded, nagged or shouted at to buy some product or other is driving me crazy and seems to have grown to permeate every moment and aspect of life in the last few years.

I put myself out to mute the ads on the radio, record everything I watch on TV and fast forward through, I avoid the irrititants in the street trying to shove their future litter and landfill content into my hand.

I would gladly pay double for products like TVs, computers and mobile phones that I don't get advertised through - no matter how 'targeted' those ads are. (I was more than happy to pay the TV Licence Fee in the UK, when I lived there, to pay for all the services the BBC provides that have NO ADS!)

I don't believe that Apple are doing their customers a service by giving them an option to 'opt out' of non-targeted advertising. They are merely giving you the option of opting in to Apples interpretation of what products need shoving down your throat this week.
 
dejo said:
Apple says you can opt-out of relevant ads by refusing data collection. You take this to mean you expect to be opted-out of all ads completely. See the problem?
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Where does Apple say you can opt-out of relevant ads by refusing data collection?

Apple says you can opt-out of relevant ads, but I don't say any way to refuse the data collection.
 
Zaqfalcon said:
I'm thoroughly sick to death of being advertised at constantly, ...I would gladly pay double for products like TVs, computers and mobile phones that I don't get advertised through -
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No you wouldn't. You would scream and rant if an iPhone cost you $400 minimum plus a calling and data plan. You just want simple apps that Apple has plenty of for free? App developers need a way to make some money. We are not a communist nor socialist country.

Get a grip people. You have to pay one way or another and most of the general population would prefer to hang on to their hard earned $$'s and have some ads.
 
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