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Apple wants to restrict data collection through apps
Photo: BRENDAN MCDERMID / REUTERS
Apple will implement the new possibilities for users to restrict data collection through apps despite headwinds from Internet companies such as Facebook.
This emerges from a letter from the US company to human rights organizations.
The new features should make it easier for users of Apple devices to prevent apps and advertising services from collecting information about their behavior across the boundaries of individual applications and websites.
Apple wants users to be asked for permission to access.
Facebook warned that the change would make the online network's advertising business more difficult.
Company boss Mark Zuckerberg recently criticized that this could impair the economic recovery in the corona crisis if many small and medium-sized companies are dependent on advertising on the Internet.
Apple's software boss Craig Federighi told the German press agency that the intrusive tracking of user activities ultimately only benefits the "data industrial complex" and large tech companies.
"We think that invasive tracking harms the entire ecosystem because it decreases user confidence in the systems," said Federighi.
Apple is convinced that its new process is good for all market participants.
"The biggest losers may be the big companies that want to turn a business into collecting large amounts of data."
The release requests had actually already been announced for the launch of the new iOS 14 mobile operating system in autumn.
In September, however, Apple postponed its launch to early next year.
The reason given was that developers wanted to be given more time to make necessary changes.
This also raised concerns among some observers that resistance from industry could lead to a softening of the measures.
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hba / dpa