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Pre-release versions of iOS 14 and iPad OS 14 on an iPhone and an iPad
Photo: Matthias Kremp / DER SPIEGEL
Apple is postponing the introduction of new ways to restrict data collection through apps on its devices until next year.
"We want to give developers the time they need to make the necessary changes. Therefore, the requirement to ask users for permission to track them will come into effect early next year," the company said on Thursday.
It was previously planned to activate the changes for iPhone and iPad users with the operating system versions iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, which are to be released in the fall.
Facebook in particular protested against it.
The company had warned that the new data protection functions of the Apple operating systems could lead to a massive drop in advertising revenue for publishing houses and app developers.
The new features should make it easier for users to prevent apps and advertising services from collecting information about their behavior across the boundaries of individual applications and websites.
In order to follow a user, they need to know an identification number, the so-called IDFA.
Apple's plan is that apps that want to use this identification number must ask users for permission to access it.
IPhone users would notice this innovation quickly, because in numerous apps a pop-up window would appear on the screen that asks: "This app asks for permission to track you across apps and websites of other providers. Your data will be used to show you personalized advertising. "
Facebook warned that this would make its advertising business difficult.
Another innovation in the new versions of the operating systems will be that app developers will have to provide users with more detailed information about which of their data will be collected and what it will be used for.
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mak / dpa
