Since December 2020, developers of applications published on the App Store must demonstrate full transparency. As Apple states on its official website, “Developers are required to disclose that they are using your data (for example, your usage data, contact information, or location) and indicate whether this data will be used for tracking purposes.
Unsurprisingly, the introduction of this new tool and this requirement did little to impress some app developers, especially those that make a living by collecting data, like Facebook. It’s a scandal for the social network led by Mark Zuckerberg, who quickly opposed the new rules. In an official press release, the CEO said that this restriction ““It negatively impacts many small businesses.” “He even adds that this is a threat.”“free internet”.
Also read: Facebook – 40 American states filed complaints against the social network
Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp: collection festival
But as our colleagues at Forbes explain, Apple has managed to make Facebook and WhatsApp face their responsibilities with this demonstration. Access rights to apps on the App StoreSuddenly, users began to see that WhatsApp and Messenger were collecting your contacts, business data, IP address and location, and even voice recordings when you used Facebook services.
In the process, WhatsApp did its best to legitimize the collection of such large amounts of data: “In order to provide a reliable global communications service, we need to collect certain information. […] “In principle, we are taking measures to restrict access to this information,” he said. gives assurance to the company.
WhatsApp then directed criticism at Apple, arguing that it was unusual for Apple apps to be unaffected by these new obligations. The Cupertino company quickly addressed the issue by updating its website and displaying the same information for its own instant messaging app, iMessage.
The maneuver is perfectly managed by Apple. While WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger collect insane amounts of data, “directly tied to the user and their identity“, iMessage stands out by only capturing email address, phone number, device ID, and call history.
The message is clear: while iMessage is limited to a handful of data tied directly to the user, all the data collected by WhatsApp and Messenger is interconnected.account, identity, device or contact information” of the user. However, it is worth noting that Signal remains the least metadata-intensive app.because only your phone number is collected.
Source : Forbes
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