- Some iOS 14 users have begun to see requests for permission to be tracked by apps, which is a policy change that Apple announced earlier this year.
- The new privacy feature will be released early next year, but Apple could test the dialogs, as some iOS 14.4 beta users have already begun to see them.
- Many developers are unhappy with the new policy, especially Facebook.
Apple is committed to protecting users’ privacy by asking developers to ask users for permission to track them for advertising purposes in applications and websites owned by other companies. Requests were expected to start appearing early next year, but some Apple device users saw the dialog box after installing the first iOS 14.4 beta last week, suggesting that the launch has already begun.
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An iPad owner on MacRumors the forums took a screenshot when his iPad running iOS 14.4 beta 1 asked him if he wanted to let the NBA app watch his activity online. “Your data will be used to provide you with a better and personalized advertising experience,” reads the prompt. The user had two options: Ask the app not to watch or Enable.
Apple first said that this privacy feature will be available with iOS 14 at launch, but following a shout from developers, Apple rejected the release, explaining that it wants to “give developers the time they need to make changes necessary and therefore the requirement to use this tracking permit will take effect early next year. “This would indicate that the requests that some users see are a test or a limited release.
Facebook has been the strongest detractor of the policy, claiming that “it will have a detrimental impact on many small businesses struggling to stay afloat and on the free internet that we all rely on more than ever.” The company went so far as to launch a full-page ad New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal to explode a policy he says it will “change the internet as we know it – for the worse”.
Apple responded to criticism in a statement on Wednesday (December 16th):
We believe that this is a simple matter of being in favor of our users. Users should know when their data is collected and shared between other applications and websites – and should be able to allow it or not. Transparency of app tracking in iOS 14 does not require Facebook to change its approach to tracking users and creating targeted advertising, but simply gives users a choice.
If Facebook refuses to allow requests to be displayed in its apps, the app may be removed from the App Store. Facebook will probably not allow this to happen, and therefore it seems unlikely that anything will come of its campaign.
Jacob began covering video games and technology in college as a hobby, but it quickly became clear to him that he wanted to do this to earn a living. He currently lives in New York, writing for BGR. His previously published work can be found on TechHive, VentureBeat and Game Rant.