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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

#231

Post by alasdair_ »

derefr wrote: post #55
kevinventullo wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That seems like a pretty big loophole if applied. Taken to the logical extreme, one could make an app that streams raw user inputs to a server and streams back a video output and be allowed to do whatever they like (albeit with horrendous performance).

Apple already declared a policy against game-streaming service apps; presumably specifically to avoid this loophole where the ads, purchases, etc. are happening “remotely” and so Apple can’t get a cut of them. Presumably, if anyone tried to build a service for “streaming” non-game apps, that wouldn’t be allowed on the App Store either.

The PS4 apps currently allow a user to access tgeir console via ios without any of this other stuff.

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

#232

Post by hvdijk »

matsemann wrote: post #54
donarb wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All of Apple's EULAs are published on their website. You can download the PDFs and read through them before you decide to purchase software that Apple creates and sells. https://www.apple.com/legal/sla/

EULA's are basically unenforceable in Europe, so why bother. For a contract to be valid it has to be understood by both parties, be reasonable etc., and in many countries forcing arbitration on consumer matters is invalid (don't know if Apple has those terms, but many do). Forcing a consumer to read 20+ pages of legalese for each purchase, each app they download etc. is just not feasible.

I do not know about the rest of Europe but in the Netherlands, EULAs can be legally binding. That this means users have a lot of reading to do is true but not relevant. Source (in Dutch): https://blog.iusmentis.com/2008/04/05/de-rechtsgeldigheid-va...

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

#233

Post by anoncake »

gerash wrote: post #113
zimpenfish wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Furthermore you can skip ads on YouTube after a 5-second timer For me, that only really happens these days with mid-video ads (and even then it's happening less frequently despite the number of mid-video ads increasing.) Most of this week I've had double unskippable ads at the front of many videos and they're generally 60+ seconds combined.

You can, you know, pay for the service (be the customer and not the product) and not see any ads

1. That's giving in to extortion. You don't pay for the service (which is free), you pay for not being subjected to ads.

2. It doesn't work in the long-term. Paying just signals that you have disposable income and showing subjecting you to ads will be profitable.

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

#234

Post by anoncake »

RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #196
hamandcheese wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The existence of a third party App Store doesn’t prevent you from voting with your feet and sticking with Apples App Store, if that’s a valuable feature to you.

A unregulated market for toys won’t prevent you from buying lead free toys if that’s a valuable feature to you.

Regulation is the job of democratically elected governments and legislatures, not of companies.

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

#235

Post by lma21 »

dathinab wrote: post #25

I do not think Apple should have the power to do such decisions. I do not like tracking at all. But I think this is something which needs to be handled by governments (laws/regulations) not by apple forcing their opinion about what is right onto everyone else by abusing their marked positions. In this case it might be beneficial for the users. In others cases it was not beneficial for the users at all but only for ap…

Yes of course, because we saw how governments (around the world) are capable of enforcing such laws when it comes to user privacy and tracking.

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

#236

Post by apexalpha »

beervirus wrote: post #14

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

This is literally what GDPR will enforce. Under GDPR you're not allowed to 'trade' extra functionality or access for tracking.

I'm still applauding Apple for taking this stance on privacy, but want to point out that privacy in no way requires a walled garden approach to software.

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

#237

Post by unishark »

saganus wrote: post #200
hawkoy wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For anyone who didn't believe above and wanted to verify: https://www.americansabroad.org/us-taxes-abroad-for-dummies-... And US isn't alone nation in this.

Any idea on where I could read more about this? in particular, what happens to people with two nationalities (i.e. US + another one)?

The US doesn't care about your other nationalities. If you have citizenship or permanent residency in the US you need to file taxes (though despite what the other poster is saying, you may not actually need to pay any taxes).

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

#238

Post by unishark »

aspenmayer wrote: post #213
saganus wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any idea on where I could read more about this? in particular, what happens to people with two nationalities (i.e. US + another one)?

If the nations have a tax treaty, you are usually not double taxed on income below some threshold. Last I checked, it was around the first $100k or so worldwide income, for US taxes anyway. After that, you are taxed at some rate, but I’m not sure if it is reduced at all or how different forms of income may affect this. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_treaty

I believe the threshold, which is basically a big deduction, always applies if you meet the criterion (living outside the US). Tax treaties come into effect regarding whatever income you have beyond your deductions.

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

#239

Post by _-___________-_ »

Ma8ee wrote: post #83
Consultant32452 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

It reminds me of a US visa, which is far from free, and you pay for applying whether you is granted it or not. It allows you travel to a border control and ask to be let in. They can refuse you without explanation.

I'm not aware of any visa anywhere in the world that supersedes the discretion that immigration officers have to refuse entry to a non-citizen.

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

#240

Post by _-___________-_ »

8ytecoder wrote: post #201
bmarquez wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> forcing me to turn on location services when I can easily enter a zip code instead This exists on iOS too. I recently downloaded a wardrobe app that refused to let me select clothes for hot or cold weather unless I turned on location services. Also some fast food apps (either Burger King, Popeye's or Taco Bell...can't remember which one) constantly whine about location services off and introduce extra friction to t…

iOS 14 has an option to share location without being precise - pretty much like sharing zip. A lot of apps ask for location and I deny and enter my zip. In fact it was one of the major reasons I switched years ago.

I don't understand why this wasn't there from the start - the majority of apps asking for location service just want to figure out what city/state/country you are in, and giving them access to your precise location just seems unnecessarily dangerous.
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