Apple’s new privacy-focused follow-up prompt begins to appear for iOS 14 users [Updated]

As a privacy measure, Apple will ask iPhone and iPad app developers to request permission from users to track their activity on other apps and websites for personalized advertising purposes starting early next year. .

In advance, the prompt for users to allow or deny tracking started appearing in the first beta of iOS 14.4, which launched last week. A screenshot shared in the MacRumors forums shows the NBA app asking to track a user’s activity, with the customizable fine print indicating that the data will be used to provide users with “a better and more personalized advertising experience.”

iOS 14.4 is expected to be released in January or February, aligned with Apple’s “early next year” schedule for this change. Apple originally planned to introduce the invite in September, but it was late in giving developers more time to prepare.

Last week, Facebook claimed that Apple’s new requirement would hurt small businesses, adding that the move was “more about profit than privacy.” In a full-page newspaper ad, Facebook said Apple’s move would force small businesses to turn to in-app subscriptions and other payments for revenue, which in turn would benefit bottom lines. from Apple.

“They are hurting small businesses and publishers who are already struggling with a pandemic,” Facebook said in a blog post. “These changes will directly affect their ability to use their advertising budgets effectively and efficiently.”

In response to Facebook, Apple said users deserve control and transparency. “We think it’s just about standing up for our users,” Apple said, adding that “users should know when their data is being collected and shared on other apps and websites – and they should have a choice of to allow it or not. “

Earlier this week, the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called Facebook’s campaign against Apple “laughable” and applauded Apple for its “pro-privacy” change.

“When a company does what is right for its users, EFF will support it, just as we will crack down on companies that do the wrong thing,” said EFF. “Here, Apple is right and Facebook is wrong.”

Update: The follow-up prompt is also starting to show up in some apps on previous versions of iOS 14, but rather inconsistently.