Privacy Breach on iOS 6

A hidden feature of iOS 6 update has been uncovered.

IDFA or Identifier For Advertiser is one of the feature of the iOS 6 which Apple did not talk about. It was Apples’ feature from older models that has been remote because of users’ privacy issue. However, it was back on the iOS 6 update.

IDFA will assign series of numbers that will act like a cookie and track the app and web habits for the targeted ads. For advertisers view, it’s an advantage for them because they will be able to track if users’ web habits will lead on app downloads or purchase their services. Even though advertisers will not provide users’ information to anyone for iOS user, it is uncomfortable doing their staff when they knew someone is tracking their privacy. Thus, it is a privacy breach.

Apple understands their customers so they have provided them a way out from IDFA but it seems unnecessarily complicated. Here are the steps to do it.

• On your device, tap ‘Settings’.
• Tap ‘About’.
• Find ‘Advertising’ settings.
• From their turn ON ‘Limit Ad Tracking’. Turning it OFF will allow advertisers to track web or apps activities.

With the said option, it was confusing for some users if they will turn it Off or On and aside from that it was not place in “Privacy” which will make more sense if it’s there. As to the definition, it only says “Limit” so it’s not guaranteed that advertisers cannot track an iOS device since they can user another way of tracking the activities.

Apple said that as soon as all apps required an IDFA, users will have an option to eliminate tracking.

You can visit this store for the latest Apple iOS 6 devices.

Posted in: iOS 6,News and Announcements