Apple consumer privacy concerns
| Apple consumer privacy concerns | |
|---|---|
| Short Title | An aggressive approach towards data collection |
| Location | United States |
| Date | 2022-2023"2022-2023" contains a sequence that could not be interpreted against an available match matrix for date components. |
| Solove Harm | Disclosure, Increased Accessibility |
| Information | viewed ads, app interaction, Behavioral, searches |
| Threat Actors | Apple |
| Individuals | |
| Affected | iPhone users: specifically those who declined analytics data collection |
| High Risk Groups | Consumers using Apple devices and services |
| Tangible Harms | Loss of Privacy, Potential Misuse of Personal Data |
Apple is presently facing multiple class-action lawsuits because of privacy issues. There are claims that Apple has been using iPhone customers' data for analytics purposes without their permission. This issue came to light following Tommy Mysk's research, revealing that Apple's apps, like the App Store and Apple Music, transmit user data regardless of user preferences. The legal actions accuse Apple of breaching privacy and consumer fraud laws, highlighting a significant contradiction between Apple's privacy assurances in its marketing and its actual data practices. As the situation unfolds, Apple has not yet formally addressed these claims.
Description
Apple is presently facing multiple class-action lawsuits because of privacy issues. There are claims that Apple has been using iPhone customers' data for analytics purposes without their permission. The main lawsuit stemmed from findings by Tommy Mysk, a security researcher, who claimed that Apple apps were collecting and sending data irrespective of user consent during the setup process of a new iPhone. Mysk's research indicated that Apple's App Store app sent real-time data about app searches, viewed ads, how users found the apps they viewed, and the duration spent on an app's page. Similar behaviors were observed in other Apple apps such as Apple Music, Apple TV, Books, and Stocks.
The lawsuits accuse Apple of "systematic violations of state wiretapping, privacy, and consumer fraud laws." They claim that Apple records and uses consumers' personal information and activity on its mobile devices and applications, even after consumers explicitly indicate through Apple’s mobile device settings that they do not want their data shared. This is seen as contradictory to Apple's marketing campaigns and promises, which emphasize privacy and data protection.
Prior research by Oxford University researchers also presents similar allegations, indicating that Apple engages in invasive data practices similar to those it prohibits among third-party developers, thus violating consumer expectations and its marketing slogans. The lawsuits highlight a perceived mismatch between Apple's marketing and its actual practices, particularly emphasizing the company's promise to "disable [the sharing of] Device Analytics altogether" at the user's discretion.
As of now, Apple has not yet responded to the privacy claims made in these cases, with one of the earlier cases (Libman v. Apple) pending a response from the company.
Laws and Regulations
Sources
https://www.theregister.com/2023/01/28/apple sued privacy/#:~:text=%22Apple%20records%20consumers'%20personal%20information
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https://9to5mac.com/2023/01/19/class-action-privacy-lawsuit/
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