Apple bans tracking apps

NEW YORK, Thursday: Despite fierce opposition from Facebook and Google, Apple says it’s close to going live with a new system that will let users stop apps tracking their online and real-life activity without the user’s permission.

The NZ Herald reports that Apple’s iOS 14.5, which will rollout for iPhones and iPads within weeks, will include its new App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature, which will require apps to ask your permission if they want to track your data across apps or websites owned by other companies.

“We can no longer turn a blind eye to rampant disinformation and conspiracy theories juiced by algorithms.”

That information is often used to target ads, or is sold to data brokers. It can also be meshed with data about your location and/or your bricks-and-mortar shopping habits to build a detailed profile.

Apple ceo Tim Cook said: “At a moment of rampant disinformation and conspiracy theories juiced by algorithms, we can no longer turn a blind eye to a theory of technology that says all engagement is good engagement — the longer the better — and all with the goal of collecting as much data as possible.”

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