Some iOS Apps Sending an Alarming Amount of Data to Facebook and Most Users Are Unaware

[catportal]

A VPN does not block adds.

there are adblock apps that use the vpn feature to tunnel all network requests and block certain ones, it's not an actual vpn

also, certain vpn services do provide adblocking via dns

 

[C DM]

Did anyone see a link to the full list of apps (70, I think it said)? I couldn't find it in the article, but may have missed it.

"At least 11 out of the 70 apps tested by The Wall Street Journal were sending sensitive user data to Facebook, including six of the top 15 health and fitness apps."

 

[e-coli]

If somebody with a subscription wanted to post the names of the apps, we'd all be appreciative.

 

[iGeneo]

Should be interesting to sit back and see how Apple responds, I think they will be a bit aggressive on this.

Would love to see the full article, may be time to purge a few of the apps if I have them

 

[nsayer]

Facebook claimed that some of the data sharing The Wall Street Journal uncovered violates its business terms, and has asked these apps to stop sending information app users would consider sensitive.

Pull the other one.

 

[whichweather]

The only way to effectively prevent this is a VPN-type service that just flat out blocks certain addresses via host files. Either don't use any non-approved apps, switch to android so you can use a host-file service, or carry around a portable internet gateway that has a pi-hole like blocker.

 

[hagjohn]

This just needs to stop. It's time for some privacy laws and limits on what companies can do with your data.

 

[justperry]

there are adblock apps that use the vpn feature to tunnel all network requests and block certain ones, it's not an actual vpn

also, certain vpn services do provide adblocking via dns

I am aware of those types, a VPN alone is just a secure connection, nothing more.
Don't worry, I got what you wanted to say.

 

[69Mustang]

Facebook claimed that some of the data sharing The Wall Street Journal uncovered violates its business terms, and has asked these apps to stop sending information app users would consider sensitive.

Hey guys. Guys, guys, guys. Listen up. DONT Stop sending us that data that we're storing and using. Ha ha we're kidding. You keep mining, we'll keep paying you. Just don't stop ya hear!

That's the way facebook would like you to frame the issue.

I disagree. Facebook would like for the issue to remain in the dark and for Apple to keep its veneer of protected privacy. Facebook's problem is fewer and fewer people are taking Apple's privacy as fact, and more and more are investigating what's what. That's not to say Apple is at fault here. It's to point out that Apple's marketing of privacy and it's actual privacy aren't necessarily as congruent as consumers think. Facebook's activity only succeeds if the marketing and real world privacy seem the same.

 

[rhett7660]

They can't? Then they can't say their system is secure and they care about privacy. Same for their users. The end.

Actually, if you only used Apps from Apple, you wouldn't have this issue. But we both know that isn't the case with most people. Also, I would be surprised if this is even mentioned in the TOS, which is different from their Privacy Statement, from Facebook regarding data sharing. So to the unsuspecting user of these apps, no knowing their data is being compromised/shared is probably the case.

I would be curious to know if the data from the app or website/webapp is being sent back via a back end connection between the two/three/ or more apps outside of the apps all together. So they are in essence bypassing all of the items in question. Once Facebook gets the info on the back end then they use it. So if there is data sharing going on that way, Apple would have no way to control the stream of information. But if they are doing it via app to app directly in the open! Yikes.

 

[justperry]

The only way to effectively prevent this is a VPN-type service that just flat out blocks certain addresses via host files. Either don't use any non-approved apps, switch to android so you can use a host-file service, or carry around a portable internet gateway that has a pi-hole like blocker.

I have a VPN for secure connection, use Little Snitch and Gasmask, the last one lets you create multiple Hosts files and switch to them instantly.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

I wish Facebook got so big fine that Zukerberg began to behave. Probably it’s possible in European Union only.

 

[I7guy]

If iOS apps are doing this to many peoples points, just have to wonder what android apps are doing.

 

[stylinexpat]

Did they, do you have a link?

I read it in a local paper (Hong Kong and Taiwan) years back ago and the local TV stations reported on it as well in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

 

[palmerc2]

I can’t wait for the future when I can view advertisements as a hologram projection in my vision originating from inside my mind.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Apple and especially Tim Cook , mr. Caraokee give a ... about privacy. It’s just a marketing instrument.
And his Stanford speech is just the topping on all that.

It’s just disgusting what comes out recently only about the App Store

Yeah, that whole FBI thing was just a publicity stunt.

What this article should be highlighting is just how much information third-party companies can harvest from us at any given point, even when using innocuous applications. These are worrying subtleties that can innocently masquerade as something else, not glaringly obvious actions that Apple happily wave through QA.

But sure, use the opportunity to write yet another anti-Apple diatribe to add to your overwhelmingly negative post history, rather than entertain a reasonable discussion.

 

[catportal]

I am aware of those types, a VPN alone is just a secure connection, nothing more.
Don't worry, I got what you wanted to say.

Then why are you misleading users on the fact that apple is actively removing VPN apps that provide these features?

 

[spazzcat]

Is there a list of apps that are sharing this info?

 

[Veinticinco]

I really hoped the Cambridge Analytica scandal would finally do for Zuckerberg and his despicable company but no, they’re like a post-nuclear holocaust cockroach and the majority of humans don’t have the stomach to crunch them underfoot.

 

[jarman92]

The full report appears to be behind a paywall

I'm surprised by this revelation, but should I really at this point? Sad, to see such major sites, like realtor.com doing such things.

WSJ is so greedy and draconian with their paywall. You don't get a single free article, and their subscription is like 5x what every other publication charges.

 

[justperry]

Actually, if you only used Apps from Apple, you wouldn't have this issue. But we both know that isn't the case with most people. Also, I would be surprised if this is even mentioned in the TOS, which is different from their Privacy Statement, from Facebook regarding data sharing. So to the unsuspecting user of these apps, no knowing their data is being compromised/shared is probably the case.

I would be curious to know if the data from the app or website/webapp is being sent back via a back end connection between the two/three/ or more apps outside of the apps all together. So they are in essence bypassing all of the items in question. Once Facebook gets the info on the back end then they use it. So if there is data sharing going on that way, Apple would have no way to control the stream of information. But if they are doing it via app to app directly in the open! Yikes.

Facebook will be in big trouble if those apps collect data and sends that data to Facebook, collecting data in their own app should be allowed if the user opts in, the way they collect it through third party apps is criminal.

 

[alexhardaker]

It’s exactly this kind of crippety-crap that gives rise to onerous stuff like the GDPR, which places ridiculous burdens on ethical companies just trying to provide honest services to consumers. Just wait, it’s only a matter of time before the US steps in with it’s own regulatory hell. The days of the Internet as we now know it are numbered...

There’s nothing wrong with GDPR

 

[69Mustang]

I have no doubts that this is a true article- facebook is the new Google when it comes to information harvesting. There's a reason you can visit walmart.com (using a totally separate app) and the very next time you are using facebook, you suddenly have a string of ads from walmart with the very category or related items to what you looked at on walmart.com (or Amazon, or a myriad of other retailers, especially those with their own apps). it is unreal.

Here. Let me scare you. https://gizmodo.com/i-tried-to-block-amazon-from-my-life-it-was-impossible-1830565336

BUT - I'm curious - is the WSJ trying to say that Android-based devices are not harvesting sensitive info without explicit permission to do so?

Take heart dear friend. Android is affected too. Blame MR for leaving out the Android info. 9to5 includes the Android related portion.
https://9to5mac.com/2019/02/22/facebook-personal-data-ios-apps/#disqus_thread

 

[Batt4Christ]

If apple believes facebook has violated apple’s policy they will take down facebook’s App. In this case it’s not clear that fb specifically violated the policy (versus encouraging others to do so by providing an architecture that makes it easy and valuable to do it)

That's the point - it isn't specifically the Facebook app - it is other apps that harvest data and SELL it to facebook and or other 3rd parties.

 

[justperry]

I read it in a local paper (Hong Kong and Taiwan) years back ago and the local TV stations reported on it as well in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Ah, ok, I will try to find it myself.
Cheers

 

[Pafoofnik]

I have nothing to do with Facebook. But there are three Facebook cookies in the bowels of Safari. If I delete them, Safari (read "Apple") recreates them immediately without subsequently going to any website.

Can someone tell my why Apple, the privacy advocates, shoves Zuckerberg's cookies down my digital throat?