Apple has responded to Facebook’s criticism of the upcoming privacy changes by saying it “stands up for our users,” in a statement shared with The edge. Facebook has criticized the company ahead of a future iOS update that requires users to consent to apps to collect data about them. Facebook took full-page newspaper ads to attack Apple, claiming that the changes will “limit the ability of companies to display personalized ads and reach their customers effectively.”
Here’s Apple’s full statement:
We believe this is a simple matter of standing up for our users. Users need to know when their data is being collected and shared with other apps and websites – and they should have the choice whether or not to allow it. App tracking transparency in iOS 14 doesn’t require Facebook to change its approach to user tracking and targeted ad creation, it just requires them to give users a choice.
Apple’s statement comes because Facebook is reportedly planning to post another anti-Apple ad on Friday, it said BuzzFeed News editor John Paczkowski. This new ad will reportedly claim that Apple’s software update will “ change the Internet as we know it worse, ” as places like blogs and cooking sites have to pay for subscriptions or in-app purchases rather than personalized ads display that allows them to offer free content.
Apps don’t need to ask for users’ permission until early next year. The change has already been delayed once – it was originally planned to go into effect after the release of iOS 14 this fall.
The feud between the two companies comes on the heels of Apple adding new App Store privacy labels that indicate how iOS apps use your data.