This step should facilitate the work for developers of browser extensions who deal with Safari and then distribute extensions via the Mac App Store. Namely, they have added support for the cross-platform WebExtensions API used by Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers. MacOS Big Sur introduced new features in Safari. In this regard, it is possible that by trusting all labels implicitly, the user risks forming a false impression about the app. The problem is that Apple cannot and does not plan to test the integrity of the developer, and, without effective control, users will have to take it on trust, and take cues only from what the developers themselves say. What is the reason for such a discrepancy? Why do the people in Apple believe that this is the app user who should be "asking for it", and not vice versa? And why can’t Apple provide app developers with tools similar to Safari Content Blocking, and why on Earth do they suppress the development of its own mechanisms (let's recall what happened to AdGuard Pro)? And the website may ASK the user for permission to track them or show them ads. In other words, in case of Safari, the situation is as follows: a user who doesn't want to be tracked BLOCKS the trackers automatically. Apple gives the user tools to protect themselves against tracking. Or, he/she might ASK the app not to track them.īut, for instance, let's consider the situation with Safari Content Blockers. And then the user has to decide whether they are willing to continue using the app at this point or not. You don't have to read the full text of the privacy policy to understand what data the app collects. This way Apple greatly increases transparency. Developers are encouraged to inform how the user's personal data will be applied. Everything is implemented at the simplest level. These labels, however, are not designed to block tracking. Based on these labels, the users might find it easier to take their own decision and refuse to install the app if necessary. The labels appearing in iOS 14 will help users control how an app applies their personal data and whether this data is shared with third parties. They also announced protection against using cameras or microphones without the user's knowledge. Approximate location allows to correctly personalize content, but it does not reveal the user's real whereabouts. In the new version it will be possible to securely share approximate location data. One of the most significant changes to iOS 14 is related to the processing of location tracking. Even experienced iOS users don't know where their browsing history leaks, because they usually don't see at what point apps connect to the network or which servers process requests. Privacy labels are to inform the user, not to block trackersĪ high level of centralization and information protection allowed us to say that Apple's policy continues to be selective. The latest announcement shows that the corporation is ready to take a few more steps towards increasing transparency in the field of privacy protection. However, from the perspective of transparency, everything was not so obvious for Apple. Well-defined privacy policies and rather severe restrictions on what user information an app or extension can get make Apple products more secure for users. Apple announced privacy labels and WebExtensions supportĪpple pays more attention to privacy protection issues than its competitors.
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