Apple Shares Video Explaining How App Tracking Transparency Works

Now that iOS 14.5 is available to the public, App Tracking Transparency is being enforced by Apple. Developers are no longer able to access the advertising identifier of your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV without your express permission, which will prevent developers from tracking you across apps and websites for ad targeting preferences.


If that sounds confusing, Apple has created an App Tracking Transparency video that's now available on YouTube, walking through what the changes mean. "It's a feature that gives you a choice," says the voiceover in the video. "A choice on how apps use and share your data."

The video goes on to describe the kinds of data that apps have access to like location, age, health information, spending habits, and browsing history. Apple says that data collection can be useful for tracking a run or letting a local shop advertise discounts when you're nearby, but "some apps are taking more data than they need," sharing it with advertisers and data brokers.

Apple explains that some apps collect "thousands of pieces of information about you" to create a digital profile that's then sold to others for ad targeting purposes and to "predict and influence behaviors and decisions."

"Your information is for sale, you have become the product," Apple says in the ad, explaining why the App Tracking Transparency feature exists. "Whatever you choose is up to you."

Top Rated Comments

_Spinn_ Avatar
32 months ago
I’m glad Apple didn’t back down on this.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
32 months ago
Bad day for Facebook. Good job Apple. Really impressed.

Apple Nailed it. Other companies should learn from this.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
innovationwho Avatar
32 months ago
I absolutely love this ad.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imlynxy Avatar
32 months ago
Cannot agree more with Apple. Really support this feature.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ninethirty Avatar
32 months ago

Apple believes we should have a choice according to the ad above ... so can I choose to download apps from a browser like I can on a Mac?
Of course you have that choice. You can choose to use a different ecosystem/platform. You've always had that choice.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheSuperE Avatar
32 months ago

And so it begins, 100% FREE Ad-based apps will soon go the way of the DoDo Bird !

NO ONE, & I mean NO ONE, including those INSIDE Apple, have ANY clue as to how this will play out !

ALL I can say is that 100% FREE Ad-based apps will (soon) completely disappear from the App Store !
Good I pay for quality. The free **** is trash 99% of the time. No one wants to work for free. If it’s free you are the product.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...
emojipedia 15 1 emoji

Emoji Coming to Future iOS 17 Update Include Shaking Head, Brown Mushroom, Lime, Phoenix and More

Tuesday September 19, 2023 12:43 pm PDT by
As Apple was announcing new iPhone models last week, the Unicode Consortium was officially approving new emoji characters that are set to be added to smartphones starting in 2024. Mockup of new emoji from Emojipedia Approved Unicode 15.1 emoji include phoenix, lime, an edible mushroom, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake), and broken...
iPhone 15 Pro Fingerprints

Apple Says Fingerprints Can 'Temporarily Alter the Color' of iPhone 15 Pro's Titanium Frame

Thursday September 21, 2023 2:48 pm PDT by
In a support document updated today, Apple indicates that fingerprints might "temporarily alter the color" of the titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Fortunately, Apple says this is not a permanent condition, as the fingerprints can be wiped off just like on any other iPhone to restore a clean finish. "For iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the oil from your skin...