# If Apple is the only organisation defending our privacy, it is time to worry

**URL:** <https://forum.devtalk.com/t/if-apple-is-the-only-organisation-defending-our-privacy-it-is-time-to-worry/9890>\
**Category:** Ethics & Privacy\
**Tags:** apple, privacy, in-the-news\
**Created:** [25 May 2021 15:43 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/if-apple-is-the-only-organisation-defending-our-privacy-it-is-time-to-worry/9890 "2021-05-25T15:43:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CommunityNews](https://forum.devtalk.com/user_avatar/forum.devtalk.com/communitynews/32/1113_2.png) [@CommunityNews](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/CommunityNews)\
**Post date:** [25 May 2021 15:43 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/if-apple-is-the-only-organisation-defending-our-privacy-it-is-time-to-worry/9890/1 "2021-05-25T15:43:31Z")

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> A few weeks ago, Apple dropped its [long-promised bombshell](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/01/apple-comes-out-swinging-in-the-duel-of-the-data-titans) on the data-tracking industry. The [latest version](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/27/apple-ios-145-update-includes-app-tracking-transparency-feature) (14.5) of iOS – the operating system of the iPhone – included a provision that required app users explicitly to confirm that they wished to be tracked across the internet in their online activities. At the heart of the switch is a code known as “the identifier for advertisers” or IDFA. It turns out that every iPhone comes with one of these identifiers, the object of which is to provide hucksters with aggregate data about the user’s interests. For years, iPhone users had had the option to switch it off by digging into the privacy settings of their devices, but, because they’re human, very few had bothered to do that.

Read in full here:

> **[If Apple is the only outfit capable of defending our privacy, it really is...](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/22/if-apple-is-the-only-organisation-capable-of-defending-our-privacy-it-really-is-time-to-worry)**
>
> A giant private company is doing the work governments should be doing on regulation of user data. That’s not a good thing

_This thread was posted by one of our members via one of our news source trackers._