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(Credit: Apple)
Apple's app-tracking policies and knives seem to be officially out of date. In April 2021, Apple began to let iPhone users choose whether third-party apps should track them. Although the move was well received by iPhone users, it offended Apple's competitors. The head of an industry alliance that includes companies like Meta and Google has now publicly attacked Apple, accusing it hypocrisy. Apple tracks its users but does not allow companies like Google to do the same, so it seems. Apple would probably refute this assertion, but it seems that that is what the group is trying to prove. It also has issues with Apple's tracking language.
The annual leadership meeting of the Interactive Advertising Bureau was the place where the dustup started. This is an industry group which includes hundreds of companies such as Meta, Google and Adobe. Its purpose is to create standards for online advertising, and to do research to share best practices with members. It's a trade group, but it exists to support the industry. Many of its members were hampered by Apple's antitracking policy. According to MacRumors, that led to David Cohen, Apple's CEO, calling out Apple at the conference.
Cohen wasn't subtle in his opening remarks to the conference. According to AdAge, Cohen stated that while there is no shortage in extremists attacking the industry from the outside there are also some who attack it from within. Apple is the most prominent example of the extreme view's cynicism, hypocrisy and deceit.
Cohen cites the example of Apple's hypocrisy in describing the ads it serves as "personalized." But, if you aren't Apple, you must use the word "track." These two words have very different emotional connotations and Cohen calls it "not fair fight."
Cohen also criticized the App Tracking Transparency program (ATT) of Apple, which allows iPhone users not to allow tracking. Cohen claims that Apple is simultaneously tracking its users. This is why Cohen believes it is hypocritical. Apple claims that this is false. Apple claims that none of the native apps will ever ask users if they want to be tracked. They don't even track anything. Apple is currently being sued in a class action over this issue.
Researchers discovered that Apple had been collecting vast amounts of data on its users through its own apps. This led to the lawsuit. These apps included Apple Books, Apple TV, and the App Store. It was also collecting identifiers, which meant that the data was not anonymous. Apple records everything you do in the App Store, including what you search for, how long you look at a page and what you tap on. It also records which ads you are shown.
Apple seems to not care what the IAB thinks of its policies, regardless of the outcome. Cohen claimed that the company walked away from talks about ATT before Apple launched it. Cohen said that they asked Apple not to use the binary "track" or "do NOT track" language and that the company refused. Cohen stated that he is calling Apple out to get them back to the negotiation table. He and the IAB should be very happy with it, we're certain of that.
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By: Josh Norem
Title: Ad Industry Coalition Accuses Apple of Hypocrisy Over Its App-Tracking Policies
Sourced From: www.extremetech.com/mobile/342545-ad-industry-coalition-accuses-apple-of-hypocrisy-over-its-app-tracking-policies
Published Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2023 13:37:56 +0000
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