About this video

• Video Title: Apple sued for privacy violations; iOS collects invasive analytics even if you opt out.
• Channel: Louis Rossmann
• Speakers: Louis Rossmann
• Duration: 11:34

Overview

This video discusses a lawsuit against Apple for alleged privacy violations, specifically regarding the collection of analytics data on iOS devices even when users opt out of personalization. The speaker uses this lawsuit as a basis to re-evaluate his previous positive stance on Apple's privacy practices, comparing them unfavorably to Google's data collection in some instances and highlighting the limited choices available in the mobile operating system market.

Key takeaways

• Apple Sued for Privacy Deception: Apple is facing a lawsuit for allegedly deceiving users about their privacy settings, with evidence suggesting that analytics data is collected even when personalization options are turned off.
• App Store Data Collection: Every tap in the App Store on iOS 14.6 is reportedly sent to Apple, along with information about which apps are viewed, their viewing duration, and timestamps. This occurs even when analytics are disabled.
• Invasive Data Collection: Apps like Stocks and News transmit user data such as watched stocks, viewed news articles, and associated timestamps to Apple, which the speaker argues constitutes tracking, despite Apple's definition of the term.
• Comparison with Android: While Apple's data collection is criticized, the video notes that standard Android phones collect considerably more user data. GrapheneOS is presented as a privacy-focused alternative.
• Limited Mobile OS Choices: The current mobile operating system landscape is dominated by iOS and Android, offering few truly privacy-respecting options by default, often requiring significant user effort to achieve privacy.
• Speaker's Changed Stance: The speaker retracts his previous positive view on Apple's privacy efforts, stating that subsequent evidence has proven him wrong.

The speaker previously stated in a video three years ago, titled "Apple should be commended for their efforts to protect user privacy," that regardless of how Apple treated users regarding repair and hardware defects, they should "at least get credit for the fact that at the time it appeared they jumped through hoops to protect user privacy." He now apologizes for this stance, admitting he was wrong.