Apple's collection of user data hard to stop says report

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses how Apple's default apps on iPhones collect user data even when users try to disable them, making it difficult for users to completely stop Apple from collecting their data.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Apple's Data Collection Practices

1. What are the key findings of the research from Aalto University regarding Apple's data collection practices?

• The research found that Apple's own default apps, such as Safari, Siri, iMessage, FaceTime, and Find My, can collect a lot of user data even if users try to disable them.
• The instructions to restrict data access were deemed "very complex and confusing" by the report, with steps scattered in various online documents without clear direction.
• Volunteers interviewed were unable to follow all the instructions to prevent the data collection, though they were able to take some steps in the right direction.
• The researchers were also unable to find definitive information on what Apple does with the collected data.

2. How does Apple's data collection practices compare to third-party apps on iOS?

• The report suggests that to avoid data collection from some apps, users could use third-party apps, which face tougher rules for data collection on iOS than what Apple itself abides by.
• This disparity between Apple's own practices and the rules for third-party apps has resulted in multiple lawsuits in the past.

3. How does Apple justify its data collection practices?

• Apple has previously acknowledged that it collects data on its users to benefit its own services, and has done so for years.
• However, Apple often minimizes the amount of data collected and anonymizes the data where possible.

[02] Apple's Approach to Privacy

1. How does the article describe Apple's approach to privacy?

• Apple prides itself on making privacy a key reason to own an iPhone and its other products, with policies like App Tracking Transparency that can limit the amount of data collected by third-party apps.
• However, the research found that Apple's own default apps can still collect a lot of user data, even if users try to disable them.

2. What are the challenges users face in trying to stop Apple's data collection?

• The article states that it is an "almost impossible task" for users to properly stop Apple from collecting data, as the user interface is designed in a way that doesn't make it clear what is happening.
• Users have to go into the settings and make changes there to stop the behavior, which the prompt seemingly offers without actually performing.
• The instructions to restrict data access were deemed "very complex and confusing" by the report, with steps scattered in various online documents without clear direction.

3. How does the article suggest users can avoid data collection from Apple's apps?

• The report suggests that users could use third-party apps, which face tougher rules for data collection on iOS than what Apple itself abides by, to avoid data collection from some of Apple's apps.