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Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

developer.apple.com

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Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#61

Post by fizzled »

easton wrote: post #20
DoofusOfDeath wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find that policy entirely acceptable, for the same reasons I think shrink-wrap EULAs should be illegal. This makes me curious about Apple and iOS / OS X. Does Apple try to require that the user accepts an EULA for the OS after buying Apple hardware?

Yes, they do. On the Mac, at least for the longest time, they put a sticker on the shrink wrap for the device that said something to the effect of "By using this device, you agree to the terms of Software License Agreement found at apple.com/legal/sla". Of course, if you didn't agree with that you could return the device or install Windows/Linux, but on the iPhone (which won't activate without agreeing), you can't si…

When did they stop? I just bought a new MacbookPro yesterday and there was nothing on it like that. Same for the iWatch I bought last year, and the iPhone 6 two years ago.

Or is this just software?

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#63

Post by johnday »

DoofusOfDeath wrote: post #42
placatedmayhem wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Iirc, those shrink wrap licenses are of questionable enforceability. The Wikipedia entry on "shrink wrap contract" agrees, but I'm not well-versed on the topic.

Something about this has always confused me... IIUC (at least in US legal system), using software without an appropriate license from the copyright holder is considered a violation of civil copyright law. Suppose that courts deemed shrink-wrap EULAs to be invalid. If the EULA is the agreement that grants end-users permission to use the copyrighted software, would the invalidation mean that users were in violation of…

What would you actually be buying, if you bought the software without being legally capable of using it?

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#64

Post by samatman »

ProAm wrote: post #37
slipheen wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That really does seem like whataboutism. No one is claiming Apple is perfect, but this is a marked improvement of apps requiring tracking to function.

[flagged]

whataboutism: n. An accusation of hypocrisy designed to deflect from bad behavior on the part of another party.

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#65

Post by sbuk »

ProAm wrote: post #21
beervirus wrote: post #14

Everybody complains about the walled garden, but damn I love to see things like this.

Doesn't Apple track every app you install, access and run? Track you if you want to develop your own code for your own fully paid for device?

There has to be be some degree of tying purchases to an account. The real issue here is what is done with the data after it's been collected. Internal use is one thing; such as improving apps etc. When it's used to target individual in a bid to influence their thinking, that's when the real problem starts. Are Apple guilty of the latter?

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#66

Post by sroussey »

Nextgrid wrote: post #40
cblconfederate wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't they verify executables for this reason? Do they provide info about whether they log this process?

I believe iOS handles this process differently. Apps are signed in advance (when the app is approved and published to the Store) and the signatures are only checked locally against a hardcoded signing key. But even on Mac when it comes to notarization, I'm pretty sure the signatures are only checked on first run and then the result of that is cached (partly for performance reasons).

Same on Mac AppStore.

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#68

Post by Consultant32452 »

johnday wrote: post #63
DoofusOfDeath wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Something about this has always confused me... IIUC (at least in US legal system), using software without an appropriate license from the copyright holder is considered a violation of civil copyright law. Suppose that courts deemed shrink-wrap EULAs to be invalid. If the EULA is the agreement that grants end-users permission to use the copyrighted software, would the invalidation mean that users were in violation of…

What would you actually be buying, if you bought the software without being legally capable of using it?

You've bought the privilege of being allowed to accept the EULA.

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#69

Post by renewiltord »

2Gkashmiri wrote: post #33

I remember ios 5 I think brought app permissions. Essentially say app A should not get location or contacts and put this behind a password. The app couldnt do shit. Then android after late got some permissions but its still lame IMO. App can deny you access without a permission. A recent thing I have seen on android is permission protection or whatever. The system gives dummy or no access to the contacts for example…

Okay, but I don't want that as a user. If I accidentally say "Deny Location Permission" I want the app to say "I actually can't navigate for you without this, sorry. Want me to request the permission again?". I don't want to debug this shit - oh why is navigation not working? No thanks. Life's too short.

Re: Apple: Apps should not require users to opt into tracking to access content

#70

Post by lern_too_spel »

sbuk wrote: post #65
ProAm wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't Apple track every app you install, access and run? Track you if you want to develop your own code for your own fully paid for device?

There has to be be some degree of tying purchases to an account. The real issue here is what is done with the data after it's been collected. Internal use is one thing; such as improving apps etc. When it's used to target individual in a bid to influence their thinking, that's when the real problem starts. Are Apple guilty of the latter?

Certainly. They use it in app store ads, to determine their own product development, and to market their products.

On other platforms, I can install apps on my devices without telling anybody.

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