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Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

macrumors.com

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Re: Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

#11

Post by Nextgrid »

jdvab wrote: post #9
Nextgrid wrote: post #6

The elephant in the room here is the GDPR. None of this is compliant (has never been) and yet is allowed to continue out in the open despite the regulation going into effect almost 4 years ago now. In fact, an argument could be made that Apple is complicit. Apple has a history of removing/rejecting apps that are used for illegal activities such as copyright infringement or even just breaking some company's ToS. Yet,…

Well, at least we have cookie banners.

Just FYI, these are not compliant either, but the same problem above is the reason they're still around.

A compliant cookie banner (or rather consent flow, as the GDPR covers more than just cookies) should not be annoying - it should be as easy to decline as it is to accept and dark patterns aren't allowed.

Re: Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

#12

Post by brundolf »

So does this mainly come down to fingerprinting, as a replacement for traditional ad IDs (which should be blocked at a system level when you opt out)?

If so, it seems solvable by Apple (through a combination of introducing noise/imprecision, and gating more things behind user-controllable app permissions)

Re: Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

#13

Post by beefield »

trts wrote: post #10
corobo wrote: post #5

I've found switching to the web version of social apps to be better anyway. Stops me visiting them as frequently if nothing else. I'm actively deciding to visit now rather than mindlessly opening the apps in order Feelin kinda smug right now

It's been surprising how much I stopped thinking about social media entirely since doing this. Not to mention that the mobile web experience is often purposely crippled to try and funnel you back into native. Add in the need to get my timeboxed 2FA code to login and I'll begin to realize how little there is to gain relative to the trouble of actually logging in.

> timeboxed 2FA code

Would you mind sharing implementation details?

Re: Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

#15

Post by HaloZero »

corobo wrote: post #5

I've found switching to the web version of social apps to be better anyway. Stops me visiting them as frequently if nothing else. I'm actively deciding to visit now rather than mindlessly opening the apps in order Feelin kinda smug right now

They also don't update the features a lot which has some perks.

The calendar on events on facebook mobile website is a simple calendar that shows your events that you are invited to. The desktop and mobile app make it a pain to see just your friend events since they're pushing event discovery too.

Re: Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

#17

Post by BbzzbB »

throwuxiytayq wrote: post #14

How are the apps still not removed?

Apple fighting it on a technical level or playing tough in private negotiations is one thing, but do you truly expect Apple's customers would be pleased if Tim decides in their stead that Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are off-limits? They have their own profit motives and you can be damn sure they will not hurt them in the name of a privacy crusade. Walling out small time apps with marginal use from your garden is a safe play, doing so with apps used by a crushing majority of your users is a whole different story.

Re: Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

#18

Post by mrweasel »

throwuxiytayq wrote: post #14

How are the apps still not removed?

Right, if Apple is serious about privacy they should give Facebook and Snapchat two weeks to comply and then just yank the apps. No extention, no exception, comply or your app is killed.

Re: Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

#19

Post by jaywalk »

corobo wrote: post #5

I've found switching to the web version of social apps to be better anyway. Stops me visiting them as frequently if nothing else. I'm actively deciding to visit now rather than mindlessly opening the apps in order Feelin kinda smug right now

No option to do that with Snapchat. So if you want to be involved with Snapchat in any way, the app is your only choice.

Re: Facebook and Snapchat iOS Apps Still Tracking Users Despite Opt-Out

#20

Post by hvgk »

jaywalk wrote: post #19
corobo wrote: post #5

I've found switching to the web version of social apps to be better anyway. Stops me visiting them as frequently if nothing else. I'm actively deciding to visit now rather than mindlessly opening the apps in order Feelin kinda smug right now

No option to do that with Snapchat. So if you want to be involved with Snapchat in any way, the app is your only choice.

At which point you are a winner anyway!
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