“Apple has just updated a section in iTunes Connect, the service mobile developers use to distribute and update their applications on the iTunes App Store, with new language that details how the Advertising Identifier (IDFA) can and cannot be used, and asks for developers’ compliance with these rules by checking a box,” Sarah Perez reports for TechCrunch.
“Though Apple began rejecting some applications in February which were using the unique identifier but not showing ads, this change now formalizes the process – meaning that Apple could now reject any non-compliant apps going forward,” Perez reports. “For background, Apple had been signaling to developers throughout 2013 that it was time to make the switch over to the IDFA as the preferred ad tracking option within iOS applications.”
Perez reports, “The change has been a long time coming, following the initial phase out of the unique identifier known as the UDID.”
Read more in the full article here.
Apple has such an opportunity here to save us all from the interminable deluge of ads that serve to constantly interrupt the web browsing experience, user privacy and concentration. I hate ads and commercials and would gladly pay a premium to a device or service that, in a workable way, would let enjoy the internet without the intrusions. Also, and really as part of the same thing, Apple could and should standardize the terms of service agreements down to a few lines and force all developers to use them. This would protect the end user tremendously and let us know what the developer is REALLY doing with data they collect about us. I envision this could be done in just 5 or 6 lines, a dozen at most, with simple yes or no answers and finally give a safety score or intrusion grade which could be posted with the app on the App store. i.e., Do you collect data that might be personally identifiable? Yes or no. Do you or might you ever sell it? yes or no. And a few others…Can you imagine the million’s of people who would flock to this sort of model? Wow! Apple, stop selling us out. Your walled garden has become a veiled garden of thieves leaving me to figure out 30 page long TOSs written by scores of attorneys. This times a couple hundred apps and it’s a bit over whelming. In short, Apple, you have let this get way out of hand. Protect your customer and fix this exploit of our data.
download the Epic Browser
Just sayin’
(again)