Report: iOS Users Who Opt-Out of App Tracking Continue to Be Tracked by Facebook and Snapchat

[Analog Kid]

Apples app tracking transparency is marketing, not an actual feature.

No, it's a balancing act. These Apps want access to Apple users, so they'll put up with a certain amount of hassle, but Apple wants them available on their platform so can only push so far so fast.

I expect we'll keep seeing incremental improvements in privacy as more people finally (finally!) start taking their privacy seriously.

 

[Analog Kid]

I appreciate the replies here that suggest using web browsers over apps.

Don't put too much faith in the opacity of your browser. They've gotten really good at parsing browser metadata to uniquely identify you. There used to be a site you could go to that demonstrated this, but I can't remember what it was, maybe someone else can. Everything from your version to the fonts you have available are basic finger print.

I think Safari has been trying to reduce the amount of information is publishes in the HTTP requests, but there's only so much you can control it while providing a modern browser experience. I imagine, but don't know, that Safari on iOS is more anonymous than on the Mac given the homogeneity of the iOS platform. In the end, though, it's hard to interact with the world truly anonymously and if you have a need to beyond just the principle of the matter it's worth being extra careful.

Private relay is another step in the right direction-- it takes your IP out of the metadata and likely obfuscates your browsing from your cellular carrier.

 

[MY_USERNAME]

I know Apple’s privacy standards aren’t perfect but I’m glad they are marketing themselves this way. Maybe it will create competition for others and the consumer will eventually win.

 

[LivingMyBeachLife]

I saw a post yesterday where someone communicated where these folks are coming from.
“I don’t know about this and I don’t care, I just like anything that gives Apple grief.”

That illustrates double standards and hypocrisy which is unfortunately where society is.

People online are like
Apple -- How dare you reveal anything private about me. I refuse to get an Android where my life is an open book with Google.

Facebook, Google, Amazon, Twitter, Snapchat, Tik-Tok --- Here's my current location, my schedule for the next few weeks. SSN, DOB, Mother's maiden name, where I work, my income, all my family photos, my credit card numbers, my passport, my travel plans, my schedule of when Im home and when I'm not home etc etc. etc. etc.

 

[Runequester]

If you arent paying for the product, it means you are the product being sold.

Facebook literally holds its own user base in contempt.

 

[mjtomlin71]

So on Apple devices even explicit privacy features might give only a false sense of security. Apple is getting looser and looser on privacy and security, and continuing to add self-sabotaging features like CSAM.

Wouldn't be surprised to hear one of these days that Apple has been selling private data of a billion users, only that they have a different interpretation of what is "selling" or "data" or "private" or "user".

Wrong... Apple has clearly stated that this option is not enforcement, but rather a way for users to tell apps that they do not wish to be tracked. That's why the dialog says "Ask App not to Track". The data used to track is still needed by apps for its original intended purpose.... Some apps still need to know that it's you on your device. It's unfortunate that some apps have abused this data, hence the option to ask for it to stop.

Having a method to explicitly tell an app that you do not want to be tracked makes them liable for abusing the data by not abiding by a users preference.

"CSAM" is not a feature. It stands for Child Sexual Abuse Material. And all services scan for and track this type material. By not allowing this material to be scanned for when a photo is uploaded to iCloud Photos, you force Apple into scanning through all your data you store on iCloud. This prevents Apple from reaching their end goal... being able to provide complete E2E on all your data.

 

[Wanted797]

Surprised Pikachu face.

 

[bluffalo]

If enough people delete Facebook and Instagram, they can be toppled.

Remember, MySpace was once the biggest… it’s possible Meta could end up like MySpace.

 

[mjtomlin71]

Right, so Apple talks bigger than everyone else about privacy and security, but as you acknowledge, in reality it is just like everyone else.

Nope. Do some homework about what Apple is trying to do and why they are more vocal/transparent about it. If they are what you think they are, they wouldn't have said a damned thing about it and just done it.

Apple wants to be able to add E2E to all your data that passes through their servers, this removes them from being liable and held accountable by any authoritative body. Morons who lack the capacity to understand the bigger picture just scream the sky is falling, but prefer to keep their heads shoved up their asses when it comes to how nonchalant other companies completely disregard user privacy.

 

[burgman]

So does

If you arent paying for the product, it means you are the product being sold.

Facebook literally holds its own user base in contempt.

So does your TV

 

[hrMACnstuff]

surprise. surprise. could the 80's come back please? and bring the t&a. i miss it.

 

[MysticCow]

I appreciate the replies here that suggest using web browsers over apps.

Not enough unless you have an addon like uMatrix (which means Firefox since Chrome is a POS tracking device for Google) to shut down anything nonessential to the site functioning...including trackers from FB, Twitter, DoubleClick, etc. Facebook only needs Facebook to be allowed so that Facebook renders. Facebook doesn't need to be literally on any other site you go to, more than likely.

 

[solarmon]

surprise. surprise. could the 80's come back please? and bring the t&a. i miss it.

Go to Google.com, type in “t&a”…your world will be complete.

 

[MacBH928]

Apple storing data about you behind the scenes where you can't delete it is one of the most evil things I have seen. I learned this when I downloaded an app and it auto logged me in without giving my user+password. Sharing data across apps should be banned in the first place, the option should not be there. Privacy...yea right.

There is no more trust, looking at GrapheneOS.

That’s why I deleted the Instagram app and only use the web version with a Home Screen favorite. Perks? No ads and no stupid shopping icon! Thanks to my Adblocker. You can barely tell it isn’t the App either. The only downside is the limited photo upload functionalities for stories

isn't this like worse than using the app because now FB stores their cookies in your safari browser where it can see everything?

 

[MysticCow]

isn't this like worse than using the app because now FB stores their cookies in your safari browser where it can see everything?

Yep. Use Firefox with uMatrix to just block them and enable what is minimally necessary per site visited.

OH WAIT--Firefox doesn't work with addons on iOS, because "walled garden" includes addons for your privacy. Maybe uMatrix can make it into Safari's addon gallery...

DOUBLE OH WAIT--Firefox only has limited functionality with addons on Android...and guess what isn't on the list?

 

[Apleeseed84]

So on Apple devices even explicit privacy features might give only a false sense of security. Apple is getting looser and looser on privacy and security, and continuing to add self-sabotaging features like CSAM.

Wouldn't be surprised to hear one of these days that Apple has been selling private data of a billion users, only that they have a different interpretation of what is "selling" or "data" or "private" or "user".

It’s been like that for a while, it’s always been a dog and pony show, they know they can’t fully block all tracking because at the end of day Apple needs to be paid by said App developers and if they have less money from ad revenue, less money for Apple. It’s vicious circle

 

[LivingMyBeachLife]

Right, so Apple talks bigger than everyone else about privacy and security, but as you acknowledge, in reality it is just like everyone else.

I disagree that they aren't like everyone else. But hey since you are so anti-Apple, why don't you use an Android device?

 

[SFjohn]

That only protects your IP. You need to use something like TAILS booted from thumbdrive if you want to stop the tracking entirely.

Hasn’t the Tor network been cracked wide open by governments and others? I thought I read something about that years ago.

 

[SFjohn]

It’s a real thing, but if someone makes 70-80 social media updates in a day, even if it’s just liking or commenting, there’s a VERY good chance I can look at their historical pattern before they enabled privacy and connect them back to that data AFTER they enabled privacy.

If I can look at the text of a message I’ve received and determine it’s from “Paul” without looking at who it’s from, computers can do MUCH better.

Kind of like here on Macrumors?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

If enough people delete Facebook and Instagram, they can be toppled.

Remember, MySpace was once the biggest… it’s possible Meta could end up like MySpace.

They will, but some new thing will come along (especially now since mergers are being rejected) that will behave the same way. Generally, because you can’t make money on social media without ads. It’s just the way the business works. MySpace worked that way, Facebook works that way <<new unnamed thing>> will work that way.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Kind of like here on Macrumors?

Yeah, any algorithm worth it’s salt could take any 3 consecutive sentences here and positively tie those words to the owner. The larger the footprint left, the greater the certainty. People leave HUGE footprints on FaceBook

 

[lazyrighteye]

I don't like being tracked as much as the next person. However, my dislike of FB and other socials is not so much the tracking, but the impact on one's interpersonal relationships and psyche.

Of course the whole point of social media is for the company to make money. Money is made by selling advertisements, and that means driving clicks and logons, replies and likes. So the whole system, IMHO is designed to create discord and conflict. Social media is outright BORING when people aren't arguing over something. It could be as trivial as mom's green bean casserole, or as impactful as the pandemic or politics. The goal is to create discord.

So, really, the goal of Facebook and social media is to piss you off or make you feel bad. The funny cat videos and pictures of your cousin's second child are all just busy work. People don't hang around online all day for that stuff.

When someone talks trash about your stance on a politician or hot button issue of the day, it's game on. People are drawn to that stuff like flies to the proverbial excrement. And heaven help you if someone misinterprets what you say online and takes serious umbrage with it. It spills over into real life relationships. It causes real harm, real mental health issues, and it's toxic. Not to mention a lot of people will say things on FB that if they said it to your face would probably warrant a throat punch, and they know it. They do it anyway, or they do it because it's on FB and they can get away with it.

Like excessive use of drugs or alcohol, most people's lives are better off without social media. Or at least seriously curtailing it's use. I am better off for distancing myself from it.

Quoting this because it deserves to be seen again and because IIGS User nailed it.

 

[huge_apple_fangirl]

Apple needs to be paid by said App developers and if they have less money from ad revenue, less money for Apple.

Apple absolutely does not need to be payed by App developers. They make plenty of money without that, and their addiction to extracting rent from developers may catch up with them (with legislation). But I don't think Apple makes money from ad-supported Apps- that's probably why they've been so eager to hurt the industry. Better for everyone to switch to subscriptions and give Apple their cut. Of course, with Apple starting to grow their own ad business, this may change in the future. Perhaps this is the start of that.

 

[contacos]

Apple storing data about you behind the scenes where you can't delete it is one of the most evil things I have seen. I learned this when I downloaded an app and it auto logged me in without giving my user+password. Sharing data across apps should be banned in the first place, the option should not be there. Privacy...yea right.

There is no more trust, looking at GrapheneOS.




isn't this like worse than using the app because now FB stores their cookies in your safari browser where it can see everything?

I use AdGuard Pro and the Duck Duck Go Browser

 

[B4U]

Facebook should develop an app for their execs called "Find My Soul"

No need an app for that.
It has always been HTTP 404.