Apple App Store Privacy

Gizmodo broke the news that Apple is allegedly harvesting iPhone user data when privacy settings are set not to track. There is currently a class action lawsuit in California against Apple.

The issue was discovered by Mysk, cyber security researchers, who found that the App Store sends Apple identifying information such as device ID numbers and how you are connected to the internet. This information when put together can determine who the user is.

It wasn’t just the App Store either, many other stock apps such as Books, Music, and TV transmitted identifying information as well.

To me, this is not very concerning as I do not mind sharing that data and feel like Apple would be respectful of this information. Also, any other company would obviously be doing the same thing. The part that bothers me is that it still is collected when turned off. Apple has positioned itself as a pro-consumer privacy company and this is not a good look since they have yet to release a statement.

Check out a video from Mysk that breaks down how the Apple App Store tracks: