Apple's New Privacy-Focused Tracking Prompt Appearing for iOS 14 Users [Updated]

[MacRumors]

As a privacy measure, Apple will be requiring developers of iPhone and iPad apps to request permission from users to track their activity across other apps and websites for personalized advertising purposes starting early next year.

Ahead of time, the prompt for users to allow or deny tracking has started to show up in the first beta of iOS 14.4, seeded last week. A screenshot shared in the MacRumors forums shows the NBA app requesting to track a user's activity, with the customizable fine print indicating that the data will be used to provide users "a better and personalized ad experience."

Update: We've learned that apps have been able to prompt users for tracking permission since iOS 14 was released in September, and some apps already introduced the prompt prior to the iOS 14.4 beta. Apple is still planning to require use of the prompt "early next year."

Last week, Facebook claimed that Apple's new requirement will hurt small businesses, adding that the move is "more about profit than privacy." In a full-page newspaper ad, Facebook said that Apple's move will force small businesses to turn to subscriptions and other in-app payments for revenue, in turn benefitting Apple's bottom line.

"They're hurting small businesses and publishers who are already struggling in a pandemic," said Facebook, in a blog post. "These changes will directly affect their ability to use their advertising budgets efficiently and effectively."

In response to Facebook, Apple expressed that users deserve control and transparency. "We believe that this is a simple matter of standing up for our users," said Apple, adding that "users should know when their data is being collected and shared across other apps and websites — and they should have the choice to allow that or not."

Earlier this week, the non-profit Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called Facebook's campaign against Apple "laughable" and applauded Apple for its "pro-privacy" change.

"When a company does the right thing for its users, EFF will stand with it, just as we will come down hard on companies that do the wrong thing," the EFF said. "Here, Apple is right and Facebook is wrong."

Article Link: Apple's New Privacy-Focused Tracking Prompt Appearing for iOS 14 Users [Updated]

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Can you go into settings and ask all apps not to track?

 

[BornAgainMac]

I want to click "Allow" and then do some crazy random things that will both shock and surprise them.

 

[ImperialForces]

This policy is so unfair to Facebook. ... I mean small businesses.

 

[UndefinedxJoker]

Great move by Apple. Facebook was lucky that this wasn’t done earlier and should be happy instead of throwing a fit over INFORMING users about what is done with their data.

 

[jz0309]

Can't wait for that release, bring it on!

 

[jz0309]

Can you go into settings and ask all apps not to track?

I do not think so, from what I've gathered it and app-specific setting ... wish it would.

 

[goobot]

Glad Apple is fighting against privacy intrusions with these companies.

 

[t0pher]

I got a similar prompt earlier on a web page that had forums powered by Facebook I had to click allow to read the content. How do I change the permission back to font allow Facebook to track me?

Example link

 

[planteater]

"Ask app not to track." Shouldn't that be "Block app from tracking." Is it blocking or not?

 

[mejsric]

sounds like malwares, tracking everything.

 

[beach bum]

Very nice! I am definitely looking forward to this feature and the fact that Apple is not going to delay launch.

 

[MacinMan]

I'm usually careful with what apps I put on my phone. This will just help make sure everything is on the up and up.

 

[nwcs]

It should not be “ask not to allow” but a firm “deny” button to be clearer.

 

[infinitejest]

but...but small businesses?

 

[OliOliOliOli]

That’s great, but just hope that will not be an another cookie pop up on all sites!

 

[contacos]

„Ask App Not To Track“ sounds weird and too polite? Like sure ask them but they may or may not stop?

It’s also not quite clear what kind of tracking it would actually stop. There r so many different kind of SDKs and APIs to track

 

[Realityck]

Wonder what Facebook would do if it defaults to being not able to track?

 

[MacinMan]

Wonder what Facebook would do if it defaults to being not able to track?

Apple always has the option of banning Facebook from the app store. Especially if they refuse to comply.

 

[t0pher]

I got a similar prompt earlier on a web page that had forums powered by Facebook I had to click allow to read the content. How do I change the permission back to font allow Facebook to track me?

Example link

settings -> safari -> website data
Delete data for the website the prompt was permitted on.

safari will then reprompt when visiting that domain.

 

[coolfactor]

"Ask app not to track." Shouldn't that be "Block app from tracking." Is it blocking or not?

It likely depends on the ad networks that an app developer uses, and how tracking is done by each. It's not blocking across the board. Some may honour a request to "not track" and others may ignore it, so I think Apple is playing it safe to account for these variances.

Keep in mind, this won't reduce the number of ads that we're seeing in apps, only the relevance of the ads to our own interests. In one example, I play a word game that displays ads for other games, and every time I tried to watch a news video in the CNN app, I'd see the same damn game ads, every single time! Hopefuly wih this tracking protection in place, this won't happen anymore.

 

[planteater]

It should not be “ask not to allow” but a firm “deny” button to be clearer.

Yes, it is very squishy, imprecise language. It makes me wonder how effective it is that they would use such language.

 

[justperry]

I got a similar prompt earlier on a web page that had forums powered by Facebook I had to click allow to read the content. How do I change the permission back to font allow Facebook to track me?

Example link

Seems to me that's different than this, cookies...
I get this in Private mode, for instance, if there's a Facebook video, if I reject it it will stop and shows the beginning, the video will still play though until the end, that is, if you don't interact with the pop-up.

 

[rjp1]

It definitely should read Allow/Deny. After everyone decided to ignore the Do Not Track header - that wording along with asking them is not very reassuring. It is your device - you should have the choice to just deny.

 

[applicious84]

I hope that pop-up is more responsive than iMessage. Maybe they'll fix that too!