iOS 9 Policy Change Prevents Advertisers From Seeing Installed Apps on User Devices

[kdarling]

Craig Federighi repeated a statement that's often come from Apple executives - we don't want to know your personal information. New Siri and Search features are entirely anonymous, not associated with an Apple ID, use a randomized identifier, are not linked to other Apple services, and are not shared with third parties.

I'd rather that Apple DID keep my voice recognition data associated with me, like Google does, instead of only being associated with each device individually.

Or at least offer the option. It should be my choice. I appreciate the power of a voice recognition system that knows my voice and search patterns just as well from ANY device I use, old or new.

Buying a new iOS device means Siri has to relearn me all over again, since Apple says we're only associated by a random number with that device. OTOH, Google voice recognition always works outstandingly for me, even with a fresh out of the box new device that I've just logged into, because it's had years of recognition experience stored under my id.

(Anyone can of course wipe out that stored info and/or turn it off using their Google Dashboard. But why? I did that once years ago and the system had to relearn me, so now I leave it on.)

 

[iMember]

So probably not a good sign when Google Now replies with 'Error: null', huh?

Lol, but I think neither way is good sign

 

[KdParker]

I thought I'd tailored my post to make it obvious.

sure, but when you threw in 'swiftly', wasn't sure if you were talking about the Taylor Swift since the Apple Radio discussions.

 

[ericgtr12]

They're just trying to make money. Greedy Apple.

The hate is strong in this one ...

You have to admit, they throw out seemingly arbitrary pricing schemes and people just blindly applaud them for it. Does an extra 32 or 64 GB of RAM really cost $100? Come on, they're making money hand over fist with this stuff. Sure, we'll buy it but questioning them is totally fair IMO.

 

[tzm41]

Great, I was wondering why Facebook app seems to be pretty smart at displaying apps ads.

 

[Saucesome2000]

I didn't ask Facebook to look at what non-facebook apps I have on my phone, and it's none of their business what I have there.

Lol, I was kidding. See you at the next TechData conference?

 

[Skoal]

I'd rather that Apple DID keep my voice recognition data associated with me, like Google does, instead of only being associated with each device individually.

Or at least offer the option. It should be my choice. I appreciate the power of a voice recognition system that knows my voice and search patterns just as well from ANY device I use, old or new.

Buying a new iOS device means Siri has to relearn me all over again, since Apple says we're only associated by a random number with that device. OTOH, Google voice recognition always works outstandingly for me, even with a fresh out of the box new device that I've just logged into, because it's had years of recognition experience stored under my id.

(Anyone can of course wipe out that stored info and/or turn it off using their Google Dashboard. But why? I did that once years ago and the system had to relearn me, so now I leave it on.)

I've never had issue with Siri learning my voice. Maybe the occasional word was incorrectly interpreted when I had the car stereo on in the background but voice recognition, no problem. Honestly I don't use voice all that much though. It's just not important to me. I'd really like to keep Googles knowledge of me as low as possible so I'm good with Apples approach. I understand that others opinions and uses vary of course.

 

[edwardlanti]

Doesn't this mean less money for developers? Since they won't be able to sell targeted ads?

 

[capoditutti]

The hate is strong in this one ...

Mhhhmmmm! Blinded by anger he is - see the benefits, he cannot...

 

[Artimus12]

Apple is planning to introduce some important new policy changes that will extend its user privacy protections, reports The Information (via Business Insider). With iOS 9, Apple will no longer allow advertisers to access app download data for ad targeting purposes, meaning companies will not be able to see all of the apps that are downloaded on a user's device.

Currently, companies like Twitter and Facebook are able to see which apps you have downloaded on your iPhone or iPad, sometimes using that information to deliver targeted ads. In The Information's example, Facebook and Twitter might use your app data to see that you have a lot of games downloaded, offering up an ad for a game you don't yet have installed.

Advertisers are misusing a communication API in iOS called "canopenURL" to get the app download data, something that will no longer be possible when iOS 9 is released in the fall.

When introducing iOS 9, Apple was careful to point out the lengths it went to in order to protect user privacy in new iOS 9 features. On stage, Craig Federighi repeated a statement that's often come from Apple executives - we don't want to know your personal information. New Siri and Search features are entirely anonymous, not associated with an Apple ID, use a randomized identifier, are not linked to other Apple services, and are not shared with third parties.

Apple also introduced a new VPN extension API and added Content Blockers for Safari Extensions on iOS, opening up a way for extensions to block cookies, images, ads, pop-ups, and more.

iOS 9 and the new privacy features will be available to the public in the fall.

Article Link: iOS 9 Policy Change Prevents Advertisers From Seeing Installed Apps on User Devices

Most interesting! I'd like to think this means that Mac apps like Adguard will soon be available on iOS to block those horrible ads on video streaming sites, you know the ones that make you view so many seconds before you get to the reason you clicked on a link, or maybe even block those "sponsored" posts on FB.

 

[Skoal]

I can see Apple taking this route as direct competition in setting them apart from Google seeing that Googles whole raison d'être is knowing as much as possible about a user.

 

[capoditutti]

I'd rather that Apple DID keep my voice recognition data associated with me, like Google does, instead of only being associated with each device individually.

Or at least offer the option. It should be my choice. I appreciate the power of a voice recognition system that knows my voice and search patterns just as well from ANY device I use, old or new.

Buying a new iOS device means Siri has to relearn me all over again, since Apple says we're only associated by a random number with that device. OTOH, Google voice recognition always works outstandingly for me, even with a fresh out of the box new device that I've just logged into, because it's had years of recognition experience stored under my id.

(Anyone can of course wipe out that stored info and/or turn it off using their Google Dashboard. But why? I did that once years ago and the system had to relearn me, so now I leave it on.)

I would hope that Siri's learning engine is smarter than that - in the sense that it would retain the learning gained about how to satisfy your voice requests, without having to know who you are. This would mean the next person to speak/sound like you won't generate new learning - it's already added to Siri's capabilities. I would assume the end game is when Siri's algorithms are no longer being adjusted constantly with new learning - this would suggest Siri now 'understands' most users enough..

 

[capoditutti]

Does anyone know if app owners whose apps had been uninstalled still have access to the up-to-date list of apps on their ex-user's device?

 

[D-Dave]

only question remains....if Apple is realy serious about privacy...why no update to iOS8?

 

[Artimus12]

only question remains....if Apple is realy serious about privacy...why no update to iOS8?

Maybe it'll require app updates by Devs that can only be justified with a fresh install, and they saw iOS9 as an ideal opportunity to do that?

 

[unplugme71]

You should just throw your phone in the ocean after burning it to crisp and wrap it in tinfoil.
You know, just to be sure.
Also, it isn't even linked to their iOS apps, but to iAds.


Many reasons.
Sending you push notifications, being able to restore a paid app on your phone if you deleted it and want to download it again, to use their kill switch if ever an app is compromised.

I do not like to liter in the ocean.

 

[0970373]

It's a bit concerning how every time I reinstall Facebook it somehow manages to triple in size within a few weeks. I wonder what kinds of stuff it's recording and relaying. It'd be gone for good if my job didn't make me use it.

I also can't delete my FB account, unfortunately. I did once and it became A Thing. Long story. Anyway, I just bookmarked the mobile site on my phone instead of using the app. Of course they are still collecting data but less than the app, I assume. I hope. I'd actually be curious to find out what they are collecting with the mobile site vs app. I deleted it when they started pushing out updates saying they would be doing updates every 2 weeks to make it a better app!! But they never give you actual release notes. I've done the same with the TripAdvisor app.

Instagram does the same thing. I love the app but they are collecting the same info as FB - webpages you visit, apps you download, all of it. That's why FB bought it. Glad Apple is making these changes.