Apple today announced that its App Tracking Transparency privacy measure will be required starting with the next beta versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14. Apple says the software updates will be publicly released in the early spring.
The requirement was originally set to go into effect last September, but Apple delayed to provide developers with more time to prepare.
With this change, all iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV app developers will need to receive a user's permission to track their activity across other apps and websites and access their device's random advertising identifier, known as the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), for targeted advertising purposes or to measure how effective their campaigns were.
Users will be presented with a prompt with options to "Allow Tracking" or "Ask App not to Track" when opening apps that wish to track their activity. Developers have already been able to add the tracking prompt to their apps in prior versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14, using the App Tracking Transparency framework, but it has not been required and few apps have implemented the prompt voluntarily.
If a user selects "Ask App not to Track," Apple will block the app's developer from accessing the user's IDFA. The developer is also required to respect the user's tracking preference in general, meaning that they cannot use other methods to track the user, or else their app may face removal from the App Store, according to Apple.
Users can manage their tracking preferences on an app-by-app basis in the Settings app under Privacy > Tracking on iOS 14.
A handful of ad networks and companies have criticized Apple's decision, including Facebook, which ran full-page newspaper ads and launched a website claiming that Apple's tracking change will hurt small businesses financially.
"We disagree with Apple's approach and solution, yet we have no choice but to show Apple's prompt," said Facebook. "If we don't, they will block Facebook from the App Store, which would only further harm the people and businesses that rely on our services. We cannot take this risk on behalf of the millions of businesses who use our platform to grow."
The non-profit Electronic Frontier Foundation called Facebook's criticism "laughable," claiming that Facebook's campaign against Apple is really about "what Facebook stands to lose if its users learn more about exactly what it and other data brokers are up to behind the scenes." Firefox maker Mozilla also backed Apple's decision, calling it a "huge win for consumers."
Google has not publicly attacked Apple's decision, but in a blog post yesterday, the company warned developers that they may see a "significant impact" to their Google ad revenue on iOS once the App Tracking Transparency requirement begins. Google also said it will stop collecting IDFAs across its iOS apps so that it does not have to present users with Apple's tracking permission prompt in those apps.
"We believe that this is a simple matter of standing up for our users," said Apple, adding that "users should know when their data is being collected and shared across other apps and websites — and they should have the choice to allow that or not."
Apple's announcement is timed with Data Privacy Day. Apple has commemorated the day by sharing "A Day in the Life of Your Data," a PDF report that explains how third-party companies track user data across websites and apps, highlights Apple's privacy principles, and provides more details about App Tracking Transparency.
Apple CEO Tim Cook will be speaking on data privacy today at the Computers, Privacy, and Data Protection conference, based in Brussels. Cook is scheduled to speak at 8:15 a.m. Pacific Time, and a live stream will be available on YouTube. The Link Lonk
January 28, 2021 at 12:00PM
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Apple Will Require Apps to Request Permission to Track Users Starting With Next iOS 14 Beta Version - MacRumors
9to5Mac’s Benjamin Mayo and Zac Hall unpack the newest MacBook Air rumors about a thinner and lighter model with higher performance, iOS 14.4 and Apple’s latest software updates and new features, Dan Riccio’s mysterious new role at Apple, and the company’s big earnings results.
Apple iOS 14.4 has been released and it is perhaps the most important iOS 14 update yet for iPhone owners. Why should you upgrade ASAP? Here’s everything you need to know.
Tip: bookmark this page because I will keep it up to date if/when new problems are found. I will deliver my final verdict in a week.
Apple iOS 14.4 is available for all iOS 13-compatible devices. This means the iPhone 6S and newer and 7th generation iPod touch. If you don’t receive an automatic update notification, you can trigger the update manually by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. Beta testers, if you are running a later version of iOS 14 when you read this (see ‘The Road Ahead’ section at the end), you must unenroll your iPhone before iOS 14.4 will show up.
iPad owners, Apple has moved you to iPadOS. This is not an iPadOS-focused guide, but I will touch upon pertinent issues in these guides.
The Deal Breakers
As always, jailbreakers may want to avoid this release. Popular jailbreaker Unc0ver remains stuck on iOS 13.5 while checkra1n has an iOS 14 jailbreak (not iOS 14.4), but it is limited to Apple devices running A9(X) chipsets and older.
MORE FOR YOU
Aside from this, however, the signs look good and initial reaction on social media and message boards to the release has been positive. Notably, the serious messaging problems impacting earlier versions of iOS 14 appear to have been eradicated at last (despite no mention of a fix in the official release notes, which isn’t uncommon).
What I am seeing are reports of performance lag, particularly in terms of animations (something which was present in the betas) and a higher than normal number of complaints about battery drain (1,2,3,4,5 etc). Battery drain is often higher after updating to a new version of iOS while the system reindexes so there is no reason to panic, but it is something to keep an eye on.
So What Do You Get?
Apple lists the following new features in iOS 14.4:
Smaller QR codes can be recognized by Camera
Option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings for correct identification of headphones for audio notifications
Notifications for when the camera on your iPhone is unable to be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
This release also fixes the following issues:
Image artifacts could appear in HDR photos taken with iPhone 12 Pro
Fitness widget may not display updated Activity data
Typing may be delayed and word suggestions may not appear in the keyboard
The keyboard may not come up in the correct language in Messages
Audio stories from the News app in CarPlay may not resume after being paused for spoken directions or Siri
Enabling Switch Control in Accessibility may prevent phone calls from being answered from the Lock Screen
While all these updates are fairly self explanatory, the real importance of iOS 14.4 is buried away on Apple’s official security page. This update fixes three new vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-1782, CVE-2021-1871 and CVE-2021-1870), all of which are known to hackers and “may have already been actively exploited.”
One flaw was found in the operating system’s Kernel, while two others were discovered in WebKit, which powers the Safari web browser. Apple has not revealed detailed information about the flaws and is unlikely to do so before users have a chance to upgrade. Consequently, iOS 14.4 is an update iPhone users (and iPadOS 14.4 users) should take seriously.
Note: it is unclear at this stage whether the exploits are also in older versions of iOS beyond iOS 14.3, but I would assume so.
Apple iOS 14.4 Verdict: Upgrade
Apple iOS 14.4 is not the most exciting ‘major point’ update (certainly compared to feature-packed iOS 14.3), but it is significantly more important due to the actively exploited flaws that have been found.
Crucially, early feedback from users who have upgraded is positive with no obvious deal breakers so far so I would advise updating as soon as possible. I will keep this guide updated should that change and, for those who are highly cautious about updating, I will offer my final verdict in a week.
The Road Ahead
No new iOS versions are currently in testing at the time of publication. An iOS 14.4.1 bugfix is possible, if the battery problems are shown to be more than the usual drain associated with iOS updates, but otherwise I would expect iOS 14.5 to enter testing relatively soon.
Apple’s latest software updates are here with the official release of iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4. Both updates carry significant kernel and WebKit vulnerability fixes so it’s best to install them on your devices as soon as possible.
According to a security document shared by Apple, an unnamed malicious app could gain elevated privileges and serve as a gateway for exploits. The WebKit issues allowed remote attackers to execute harmful code on your device. Apple is doing an ongoing investigation of the matter and assures the exploits were patched with the new updates.
The new iOS version is available on iPhone 6s and up as well as iPod touch (7 gen) while iPadOS will be compatible with iPad Air 2 / iPad mini 4 and up. Other new additions include the ability to scan smaller QR codes and the option to classify Bluetooth devices in Settings which helps collect Headphone Audio Level measurements on third party devices.
From now on Apple will be able to tell if your iPhone 12 series phone is using genuine camera components and will send notifications if it finds any non-genuine or recycled cameras from other iPhone 12s in your device.
HomePod mini owners also get Ultra wideband (UWB) support on iPhone 11 and 12 models which come with Apple’s U1 chip. This will speed up the handoff feature between HomePod mini and iPhone allowing for faster music transfers and haptic feedback.
iOS 14.4 update changelog:
Smaller QR codes can be recognized by Camera
Option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings for correct identification of headphones for audio notifications.
Notifications for when the camera on your iPhone is unable to be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
This release also fixes the following issues:
Image artifacts could appear in HDR photos taken with iPhone 12 Pro.
Fitness widget may not display updated Activity data.
Typing may be delayed and word suggestions may not appear in the keyboard.
The keyboard may not come up in the correct language in Messages.
Audio stories from the News app in CarPlay may not resume after being paused for spoken directions or Siri.
Enabling Switch Control in Accessibility may prevent phone calls from being answered from the Lock Screen.
iPadOS 14.4 changelog:
Smaller QR codes can be recognized by Camera.
Option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings for correct identification of headphones for audio notifications.
This release also fixes the following issues:
Typing may be delayed and word suggestions may not appear in the keyboard.
The keyboard may not come up in the correct language in Messages.
In semi-related news, Apple announced its App Tracking Transparency privacy measure will come with the next betas of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14 in early Spring.
This feature will push a notification to users every time an app wants to track their location with two options: “Allow Tracking” and “Ask App not to Track”. You can read more about Apple’s App Tracking Transparency here.
Apple’s new privacy feature requiring developers ask for permission to track iOS users for ad targeting is at last going live in the next iOS 14 beta with a planned full release some time this spring for non-beta users, the company tells The Verge.
The announcement coincides with Data Privacy Day, as well as a speech on privacy from Apple CEO Tim Cook later today at the Computers, Privacy and Data Protection conference in Brussels. Apple initially planned for the feature to go live with the launch of iOS 14 last fall, but it delayed its implementation to 2021 in September of last year to give developers more time to comply. Today’s announcement narrows the launch window to this spring, but Apple is not commenting further on when exactly we might see it go live for everyone.
Called App Tracking Transparency, the new opt-in requirement will mark a significant shift in how mobile app developers are able to collect data on iPhone owners and share that data with other firms, including data brokers, to aid in advertising. As it stands right now, Apple lets iPhone owners dig into their settings to disable this type of tracking. Now, instead of forcing users to be proactive about disabling it, Apple will demand developers ask for permission first or risk suspension or removal from the App Store if they don’t comply or try to skirt the rules.
The primary way advertisers are able to, say, know when you are shopping for a new hat on one app before serving you ads for that same hat on another app is that a unique identifying code, the so-called Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), is linked to your device, collected by the first app, and shared with the second. That allows those apps to serve targeted ads and to measure whether the ad actually worked, for instance if you ended up purchasing that hat you saw in an Instagram ad by clicking an ad for the company’s online store in Google Chrome.
Apple’s new opt-in requirement will make it so developers must have express consent from iOS device owners to allow their IDFA to be collected and shared across apps. App makers can still use other information you give them for the purpose of targeting advertising even if you opt not to let the app track you, but that information cannot be shared with another company for the purpose of ad tracking under Apple’s new policy. The sharing with other third-party companies is effectively what Apple refers to when it uses the word “tracking.”
Apple intends to strictly police any attempt to get around the opt-in requirement. For instance, it says app developers will not be allowed to disable app functionality of any kind if users say no to the opt-in, and that developers will also be barred from charging money or incentivizing users with in-app perks or giveaways to sway their decision one way or the other. Any app that tries to replace the IDFA with another identifying piece of information, like an email address, will be in violation of the opt-in requirement.
Apple says the rules will also apply to its own apps, and the company already lets users disable personalized advertising the company serves within the App Store, Apple News, and the Stocks app using data it collects from your device. (It’s worth noting that ad personalization is not the same as ad tracking. App makers can still personalize ads based on first-party data you provide them directly, but they must honor a user’s choice not to share that data for tracking purposes.) Apple has no history of sharing the information it collects with other companies, either, and it makes that clear in its ad personalization toggle in the iOS settings.
This is expected to affect both the companies that run ad networks, like Facebook, and the companies paying for the ads, like the aforementioned unnamed hat seller. That’s precisely why Facebook has come out as arguably the biggest opponent to Apple’s new privacy measures, which include not only this new opt-in requirement but also app privacy labels it launched on the App Store last month.
Facebook has positioned itself as a champion of small businesses that risk getting hurt by this privacy change, and small businesses do rely on Facebook’s ad network and its powerful targeting tools to reach customers. Past privacy changes to Apple’s mobile Safari browser did also have legitimate negative consequences for ad-supported businesses like news websites. (The Verge is an ad-supported news website.)
But in full-page newspaper ads and statements to the press, Facebook has gone a step further and cast Apple as a hypocrite trying to exempt itself from the rules it forces on other developers and as greedy for encouraging app business models that rely less on advertising and more on subscriptions, of which Apple would theoretically get a cut.
“Apple has every incentive to use their dominant platform position to interfere with how our apps and other apps work, which they regularly do to preference their own,” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on an earnings call on Wednesday. “This impacts the growth of millions of businesses around the world, including with the upcoming iOS 14 changes.” Zuckerberg added that, “Apple may say they’re doing this to help people but the moves clearly track their competitor interests.”
Apple has consistently defended its choice as a way to give users more freedom over their privacy and refuted Facebook’s claims it intends to hold its first-party software to different standards. The showdown has emerged as one of the largest and most visible tech company feuds in recent memory, though it’s clear now Facebook has little to no leverage in the situation despite its defensiveness and public posturing. The changes are imminent, and Facebook will be forced to comply as it was with the privacy labels last month.
To further hammer home its privacy philosophy, Apple has created a new online guide it’s calling “A Day in the Life of Your Data” that breaks down common ad tracking and targeting practices in the mobile app and web industries and presents statistics on the prevalence of these practices. Apple cites a study that found the average mobile app contains six trackers that share your data with other apps, and that a “large and opaque industry has been amassing increasing amounts of personal data.”
“A complex ecosystem of websites, apps, social media companies, data brokers, and ad tech firms track users online and offline, harvesting their personal data. This data is pieced together, shared, aggregated, and monetized, fueling a $227 billion-a-year industry,” the guide reads. “This occurs every day, as people go about their daily lives, often without their knowledge or permission.”
Update January 28th, 9:05AM ET:Clarified language around the differences between ad personalization and ad tracking to point out that iOS app makers can personalize ads but only using first-party data provided to them directly.
Telegram has added the ability to import your chat history from WhatsApp, meaning you won’t lose past conversations if you want to switch messaging services. On iOS the feature arrived with version 7.4, released yesterday and spotted by 9to5Mac, but the update doesn’t appear to be live yet on Android. Alongside WhatsApp, chat histories from Line and KakaoTalk can also be imported, according to Telegram’s changelog. We’ve verified that you can import chats from WhatsApp into the latest version (7.4.1) of Telegram and continue the conversation, so long as each WhatsApp user has a Telegram account.
The addition of the feature comes as Telegram is reporting huge increases in user numbers, with the service now boasting over 500 million active users worldwide. The cause appears to be WhatsApp’s new privacy policy, which prompted privacy concerns about the Facebook-owned messaging app (WhatsApp later delayed the introduction of the new policy, and insists it won’t affect the security of consumer chats or profile data). For users jumping ship from WhatsApp to Telegram, being able to take their chat histories with them means one fewer barrier to switching.
Imports work on a chat-by-chat basis.Screenshot: Telegram
The import process works on a chat-by-chat basis, but appears to work for both individual and group conversations, at least with WhatsApp. To import a chat from Facebook’s messaging service, open the relevant conversation, and tap the group or contact name from the top of the chat to open its info screen. From there, the “Export Chat” option opens the iOS Share Sheet, where you’ll see the option to select Telegram. Then, just pick a Telegram chat to import the messages into.
Any messages imported into chats have a small “Imported” label on them noting when they were originally sent, and when they were brought into Telegram, and messages are visible to all chat participants. You have the option of importing WhatsApp chat histories with or without their images. Imported messages appear in the order in which they are imported, rather than in the order they were originally sent.
Telegram’s support for imported chat histories arrives alongside a handful of other quality of life improvements for the messaging service, like being able to adjust volumes for individual voice chat participants, or reporting “fake groups or channels” that are attempting to impersonate famous people or organizations.
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