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Apple is now a privacy-as-a-service company

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Re: Apple is now a privacy-as-a-service company

#131
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Whether it's because of their business model is an important question though, because it may tell us if we this has a good chance of being genuine and whether we can expect this to last. If it's in their financial interest to protect users' privacy, then I'm much more inclined to believe that they are actually trying to do that. If they right now appear to care about privacy, but it's for some other reason, I'd expec…

Am I the only person we thinks Apple might be setting itself up to take a shot at a private, secure, ad-free, paid for social media play? I mean there are a growing number of people leaving Facebook (ok mostly for Instagram and WhatsApp) who would be willing to pay a few dollars a month to have an advert free experience in a private social media network.

They have failed at every attempt at social media.

Re: Apple is now a privacy-as-a-service company

#133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You know when I'll believe it? When the un-screw up their app store which vastly incentivizes the development of free-to-use ad-driven apps that prey on user tracking data over premium alternatives. Ad-based revenue has a higher value proposition to developers because it dodges the inane anachronistic 30% tax. "Privacy" first is an utter illusion when the majority of apps approved in this closed ecosystem that ostens…

It’s not a dichotomy, so I will just say that in addition to circumventing the app store’s take, developers have users to “blame” for the race-to-the-bottom of the surveillance capitalism bucket. As long as users will balk at paying even 4.99 for an app, developers will make them free and then engage in dark business models like surveillance and terrible in-app purchases. To be fair and stop “blaming the victims,” th…

The problem is that app developers often just do both. They charge, but still use adverts.

You see this in games in particular. Paying removes /most/ adverts. However it does not remove the “watch an advert to get an extra life” style adverts. I assume it also does not remove any ad tracking.

Re: Apple is now a privacy-as-a-service company

#134
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t understand the hate. Is there an example where Apple has not delivered on their promise?

It's all over the place I can't even begin, or do you not see the plethora of ads plaguing apps available in the app store and mobile web. If you think tracking isn't involved, you're sorely mistaken. Apple set the 30% tax for premium goods, and effectively killed the premium market as a result. Google followed suit largely because it aligns with Google's core business. Apple's angle is? Honestly, I have no clue. I'm…

The premium market was killed because too many people are too cheap to pay for apps and ads are the only profitable method to make money.

But Apple is trying something - subscription games.

Re: Apple is now a privacy-as-a-service company

#136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you looked at the keynote? They'll now be blocking a bunch of the tracking techniques that these apps use. Yes, you're right about the past, but they're making changes to be better in the future.

Sure. But would they have done this without the recent publicity about third-party app tracking? I suppose that they must have been working on this for some time. And maybe they deserve some slack. But there should at least be an apology for not acknowledging tracking by third-party apps. For years. While they were touting their privacy stance. And it's not just about behavioral ads. Some repressive governments have…

How do you “guarantee” third party apps don’t do tracking and allow them - with your permission - to know your location?

Re: Apple is now a privacy-as-a-service company

#137
post #82

Still they were/are part of PRISM so keep in mind that the privacy offered depends by various U.S agencies.

Yes - they were part of it - and they are saying "What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone."... so they are effectively lying... It would be better not to say anything...

They're constantly pushing you to upload your data to ICloud as well -- I apparently must have consented to upload an entire backup of my phone there recently, because I can't remember saying yes to this, but there it is. So even if my data was private while it was on my phone, it's not any more.

Re: Apple is now a privacy-as-a-service company

#138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s not a dichotomy, so I will just say that in addition to circumventing the app store’s take, developers have users to “blame” for the race-to-the-bottom of the surveillance capitalism bucket. As long as users will balk at paying even 4.99 for an app, developers will make them free and then engage in dark business models like surveillance and terrible in-app purchases. To be fair and stop “blaming the victims,” th…

> As long as users will balk at paying even 4.99 for an app Out of interest, what is the refund policy in the app store? I know, for example, I'm way more chilled about paying for "unknown" steam games when I can refund them after an hour of play if I don't like them.

I think they will refund almost automatically (seems like up to 14 days based on another comment). In my experience you need to wait a while (maybe a week?) until the charge registers. After that you can get a refund.

Re: Apple is now a privacy-as-a-service company

#139
post #16

Their marketing campaign ("what happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone") is of course providing a false sense of security ...

With Apple apps, sure. With third party apps, no.

Well, Safari is an Apple app. And Onion browser for Tor isn't.
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