Apple can know everything you do and spy on your mobile from the App Store because it knows what you touch while you are browsing its app store, as some developers have discovered. Before dealing with this topic, let’s get a little background.
Although from the beginning it was characterized by being ad-free on its platforms and a long-standing privacy advocate, now the App Store is getting new ad placements and more people are concerned about how the company’s policies will change, although this is not the only thing that should concern them.
Apple ads create controversy
Since these changes, advertisers can promote apps on store search, app pages, and the Today tab. This is interesting for developers and promoters of applications or certain services.
However, many users have complained about viewing ethically questionable or irrelevant content , such as dating and casino apps, causing them to suspend the ads of these apps without knowing what will happen next.
It seems that Apple will send you more announcements in the future, although we do not have many details about what will happen at those times and if it will be to the liking of all its users.
Add to that the fact that developers have made this recent discovery, that Apple can track everything you do while you’re browsing its app store. And this is the most worrying!
Apple follows your movements in the App Store
Two security researchers and developers identified as Mysk have raised privacy concerns about the App Store receiving more ads, as iOS sends Apple a detailed log of how each of its users interacts with the App Store.
If you have an iPhone, they know what you do in the app store because the operating system sends them this information, as has recently become known.
Mysk 🇨🇦🇩🇪@mysk_co🧵
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The recent changes that Apple has made to App Store ads should raise many #privacy concerns. It seems that the #AppStore app on iOS 14.6 sends every tap you make in the app to Apple.👇This data is sent in one request: (data usage & personalized ads are off)
#CyberSecurity https://t.co/1pYqdagi4eNovember 04, 2022 • 00:13293
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Usage data includes details about where each of your users taps on the screen, with information sent in real time via a JSON file. App Store data is sent even with personalized ads turned off.
According to them, they have been tracking user actions within the App Store since the release of iOS 14.6 in May 2021. We do not know how the company uses that data nor do we have any official confirmation from the company regarding this recent discovery, although it could be related to ad performance statistics.
Although we don’t know if Apple still collects analytics data in iOS 16 , even when shared analytics and personalized recommendations are turned off, it could be. In any case, they know a lot about our behavior and how we explore apps.
The company can claim that the collected data is not shared with third parties , but this fact is curious when they have created barriers to make it difficult for third parties to track iOS users. The situation could create more controversy than it initially seems, and especially depending on how the company acts from now on and if the fears of its users are unfounded or have some basis.
For now we do not have more information about it, although we hope to meet them soon and see if Apple makes a statement about it to give an official version of the fact that they know what you do in the App Store at all times and in real time. What do you think about it?