Apple prides itself on giving users total control over their privacy on iPhones and iPads. One of the company’s larger advertising campaigns champions how secure user data is within iOS. However, if the claims in a new lawsuit are true, then Apple isn’t living up to its claims of respecting user privacy.
The lawsuit, which was filed by New York resident Elliot Libman, alleges that Apple continues to track user data in stock iPhone apps. (Stock apps are the applications installed on an iPhone by default, such as Maps, the App Store, and more.) In essence, the suit claims that options allowing users to prevent their phones from sharing device analytics data, prevent apps from tracking data, and more are meaningless, at least as far as the preinstalled apps are concerned.
The suit is based on recent claims from security researchers at Mysk. The researchers assert that user privacy options do nothing to prevent Apple from continuing to track usage in stock apps. In other words, Apple ignores users’ preference for privacy when it comes to stock apps and will track every tap or scroll, how long users look at what’s on their screen, and other pertinent data to fingerprint unique users.
According to the filing, even if users follow Apple’s own guidelines on privacy settings, “Apple nevertheless continues to record consumers’ app usage, app browsing communications, and personal information in its proprietary Apple apps, including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Books, and Stocks.”
While this news is alarming, it is currently just a claim. The researchers have provided some evidence, but their claims have not been corroborated by other security experts or analysts. The lawsuit is only in the beginning stages, so it will be up to a judge to determine whether or not the claims are valid and whether or not Apple violated privacy laws in its practices.
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I’ve been a computer geek my entire life. After graduating college with a degree in Mathematics, I worked in finance and banking a few years before taking a job as a database administrator. I started working with Notebookcheck in October of 2016 and have enjoyed writing news and reviews. I’ve also written for other outlets including UltrabookReview and GeeksWorldWide, focusing on consumer guidance and video gaming. My areas of interest include the business side of technology, retro gaming, Linux, and innovative gadgets. When I’m not writing on electronics or tinkering with a device, I’m either outside with my family, enjoying a decade-old video game, or playing drums or piano.
