Apple has released iOS 14.5 for mobile devices, which includes a new privacy tracking tool called App Tracking Transparency, which provides more visibility and control around how your data is shared by apps you use. This tool addresses the behavior of the embedded trackers inside many of your apps that routinely gather information to target you with ads for the same or similar items, that you’ve viewed while browsing or shopping.
iOS 14.5 Key Privacy Feature:
Users will have to provide explicit consent to tracking when they access an app at the prompt “Allow [App Name] to track activity across other companies’ apps and website?”
- Choosing “Ask App Not to Track”
- Disables an app from using an Apple device identifier to track your activities across apps and websites.
- Alerts app developers that you don’t want your information shared or tracked in any way.
Please note that all apps with app tracking capabilities must include the App Tracking Transparency pop-up in their next update. Although this iOS 14.5 provides an easily accessible privacy tool, Apple has stated that it’s not possible for them to block all tracking and fingerprinting done by Ad-tech firms.
For additional information, please see the following New York Times article, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/26/technology/personaltech/apple-app-tracking-transparency.html