“Apple has added a new post to its Machine Learning Journal that explains how it’s using differential privacy to protect users, even when collecting very sensitive data such as keystrokes and the sites users visit,” Liam Tung reports for ZDNet.
“This type of data collection occurs when users opt in to share usage analytics from macOS or iOS, allowing Apple to collect ‘privatized records,'” Tung reports. “Apple introduced differential privacy in iOS 10 in support of new data collection aimed at improving QuickType, emoji suggestions, Spotlight suggestions, and media playback features in Safari. The system works on the basis that statistical noise can be added to data on the device before it’s shared with Apple.”
Tung reports, “It says its approach to differential privacy on the device allows data to be ‘randomized before being sent from the device, so the server never sees or receives raw data.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: If it’s not an iPhone or a Mac, then it’s an inferior, insecure, derivative, privacy-trampling POS.
SEE ALSO:
Apple begins mining browsing data in Safari via differential privacy – September 26, 2017
Apple explains how it’s making Siri smarter without endangering user privacy – September 11, 2017
Apple’s cutting-edge ‘differential privacy’ is opt-in – June 24, 2016
Apple’s cutting-edge ‘differential privacy’ offers unique option for technology users – June 20, 2016
Apple’s use of cutting-edge tech will peek at user habits without violating privacy – June 16, 2016
Apple unveils iOS 10, the mother of all iOS releases – June 13, 2016
Apple previews major update with macOS Sierra – June 13, 2016
This is one of the biggest reasons I use Apple products
Then ‘root’ shows up…
Good take, MDN.
And all the Fanboy sheep just agree with Apple…
Thank for your insightful contribution to the discussion. It really added to my understanding.
🙂
Given the recent root access debacle in High Sierra how can you be so sure anything is safe?
To qualify as a “debacle,” wouldn’t there have to be some negative consequences? Did anyone actually get harmed by the software bug in question. If not (and I have not heard of such an instance), it wasn’t a debacle. It was a flaw, and oversight.
Damn trolls attempting to blow everything out of proportion. The world is not binary and reason exists between the extremes. You are a 5-sigma low outlier on the Gaussian distribution of intelligence, KK.
P.S. You cannot be sure that anything is “safe.” Life is a risk. That is part of what makes it interesting.
There are the privacy issues, which differential privacy is supposed to address by not allowing the data to be pinpointed to an individual. Fine.
What this doesn’t change in any way, unless contributing is optional, is that each user is a contributor of information to Apple. This further enriches Apple beyond what the users have already paid.
Google, correctly, gets criticized by the statement…”If the product is free, you are the product”. At least that defines what you are paying with. Here you are both paying money AND (collectively) information. Double dipping…
Upon re-read, rather than wondering if it’s opt-in, it is opt-in. I will go home later and see what the defaults are, and if on, turn it off.
Maybe also read up on differential privacy. You don’t need to worry about Apple when it comes to your data. I don’t mind sharing data via differential privacy, all it is doing is helping Apple improve its products and services. That’s good for users. You can opt out if you like, it’s easy.
I already said differential privacy does indeed preserve privacy, I choose not to contribute. My contribution has been what I paid in money and don’t desire to help Apple further.
PS-I do the same to MS with their problem tracking…
You’re only hurting yourself. The more people that contribute the more Apple can learn what its users need. I bet Apple’s move towards being more open is partially driven by user data. Who knows? If more people like you contribute data that could move Apple more towards how you like to use iOS.
Good. Apple should pay us for the value we contribute.
Apple is going in the entirely opposite way I would like things to be, so I’m even less inclined to contribute, especially after paying.
Oh my you’ve got a problem with Apple don’t you? If they’re going the complete opposite way you would like things to be, why do you buy anything from Apple? It’s not like you don’t have other choices. Do you enjoy punching yourself in the face? I hate Apple products and services so I’ll buy some of those! I hate these! I know, I’ll buy another one! Yikes.
Did you miss the part where I do the same to MS? Unfortunately Apple is powerful and I do like computers. So…
What does Microsoft have to do with anything? Do you hate Microsoft products but also use them? Isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? Why do you buy products you hate that don’t work in the way you want them to work? Wouldn’t it make more sense for you to buy products you like?
One uses the prevalent systems of the time. Point is, I don’t do fan stuff.
A commenter with the name applecynic doesn’t do fan stuff? Ooooookaaaaay hoss.
It’s so you don’t get blindsided. This is the only place I use that name, to distinguish me from the fans and supporters. Get it?
I agree with you, Differential. But applecynic has chosen not to participate. The fact that his rationale is illogical and somewhat inconsistent is irrelevant.
At least Apple is open about its user data activities and provides user control over it. In many cases, people are just relinquishing their privacy rights away without even knowing it. If you use Google products, then your life is an open book to anyone with the money to purchase the data, or the means to steal it.
What is illogical about getting paid for value contributed? Why should the users participate in data collection benefiting Apple’s marketing, product development and quality control functions without a perk? Let them do their own work.
Actually, the system asks at OS/iOS install or major updates and you have to answer to proceed
I would rather that nobody other data other than those who write apps and just for the purpose of making them better. To all who data mine for the purpose of advertising, spamming or resale to others for ads I have two words: Fuck You. Actually I have a couple more: Fuck You Very Much.
1st sentence should read:
I would rather that nobody gather data other than those who write apps and just for the purpose of making them better.
Gotta love that Apple auto correct.
“..even when collecting very sensitive data such as keystrokes and the sites users visit..”
“…low-flow shower heads…”
I don’t like the sound of either of those.
That was funny. Film at одиннадцать…
:::BREAKING NEWS:::
CNN reports Funny Boy Franken wants to stay senator just a little longer so he can pass his signature bill, changing Minnesota from The Gopher State to The Grope’her State.
bwahahahahahaha
Has your pussy grabber hero been mature enough to truthfully respond to his many victims?
You and your partisan ilk may not care about abuse but normal sane people do. How many harassment suits has Trump got under his belt so far?
The DNC has announced their campaign song for 2018: “The Circle Jerk Of Life.”
Take it easy there golden shower…
yet another lie that cements the absolute massacre of the libtárds in 2018.