Apple: Accept the privacy policy or we'll lock you out of iTunes store

[Thunder22]

iPhone/iPad users who decline the new privacy policy will get locked out from downloading content from iTunes.


Quote:
Apple recently has come under fire for engaging in a campaign of moralistic censorship when it comes to the applications it allows on its mobile devices. That campaign is perhaps made more ironic by Apple's iconic 1984 commercial, in which it depicted itself as the face of freedom, taking down Big Brother. Now with a new announcement that it will be watching its device owners' every move, it seems unlikely that the accusation that it has become Big Brother will go away anytime soon.

The news that Apple would be collecting the "precise" "real-time geographic location" of its users' iPhones, iPads and computers was announced this week via the rollout of the company's new privacy policy.

Customers have the "option" to opt in, but Apple is reportedly punishing those who decline to accept the checkbox sort of privacy agreement. According to the LA Times, "Until they agree, they cannot download anything through the [iTunes] store."

That means no apps, music, or iBooks (from Apple) for those who opt out.

The company says there's no harm in letting it follow your every move. It says it will largely use the information for internal purpose such as MobileMe, the "Find My iPhone" app, and targeted advertising. It will also share the info with third-party app-makers who are looking to create location aware apps like social networking services or tweets.

[nom3rcy]

Browse to http://oo.apple.com from your iOS 4 device to "opt out"

I'm sure the media and antifans will still run with the "issue" though...

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

Browse to http://oo.apple.com from your iOS 4 device to "opt out"

I'm sure the media and antifans will still run with the "issue" though...

huh? Opting out isn't the point, the point is that if you don't accept the new privacy policy you get shut out of iTunes store. Or am I missing your point?

[KYZRSOSE]

Shy of starting an "all out privacy political big brother style argument," my thoughts are as follows:

I don't see the real concern here with Apple. They're not the first ones to engage in this style of privacy policies, and they certainly won't be the last. Yet, we continue on with the "dig me" items anyway....
Cell phone companies have done this for years.
The advent of GPS to us common folk electronica opens up the very argument of big brother, yet everyone seems to be fine when it comes to finding their phones if they lose them, or finding that perfect restaurant, just don't track them when they are committing a crime...or trying to solve a crime.

I'm a private person for the most part, but in the end, I'm not going to live off the grid because I'm worried that someone might track the porn on my computer.

Is Apple watching every move I make? I don't know...I also don't give a flying F*ck. What are they going to find out about me?

Between EZ-Pass, GPS in the cell phones, RFID tags on consumable products, etc...everyone everywhere could be/can be tracked. The key word is could be/can be. Unless I'm up-to no good, or planning something to endanger others, what does it matter?

So long as I still have my family, my job and paycheck, a roof over my head, and my health....let others track me and see what I have. I just have to remember to delete those cookies on my computer .

And before anyone wants to CRUSH my argument or me personally, just remember, opinions are like assholes, everyone's got'em.

Have a great day y'all.

[nom3rcy]

My point is that the privacy policy is a non-issue because you can opt out of iAds if you don't want 3rd parties to know your location. Allowing Apple to use your location is a primary feature of their software, for map features, social locators, etc.

If people don't want them to know their location then don't have a smart phone. Not just iOS phones, but every GPS equipped device out there...

Besides, name any company in the world that will allow you to use their software without accepting their terms... or a company that will allow you to use their credit card without accepting their terms... or a race track that will allow you to race without signing their waivers...

If I go on the run I'll ditch my iPhone and get a pre-pay - until then nothing to worry about.

[KYZRSOSE]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

If I go on the run I'll ditch my iPhone and get a pre-pay - until then nothing to worry about.

Careful....."they" will trace you by your voice signature.....

you can't hide! Damn big brother.....I wonder where the big sister is? Getting her nails done while the brother watches us???

[nom3rcy]

Pre-pay and a voice modulator

"I have your big sister"

[Thunder22]

GPS phones? You can switch off GPS functionality on phones and not be locked out of the vendors web site.

You don't care if Apple sells your personal data to other companies? Really? You don't?

KYZR - you're a private person for the most part but don't care if a company tracks your every move? That's a big contradiction.

The kool aid and fanboi is strong in here...

And yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and opinions can't be "right or wrong" , I agree.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by nom3rcy

My point is that the privacy policy is a non-issue because you can opt out of iAds if you don't want 3rd parties to know your location. Allowing Apple to use your location is a primary feature of their software, for map features, social locators, etc.

If people don't want them to know their location then don't have a smart phone. Not just iOS phones, but every GPS equipped device out there...

Besides, name any company in the world that will allow you to use their software without accepting their terms... or a company that will allow you to use their credit card without accepting their terms... or a race track that will allow you to race without signing their waivers...

If I go on the run I'll ditch my iPhone and get a pre-pay - until then nothing to worry about.

i think you're missing the point. If you don't accept the new privacy policy, you can't buy anything from the iTunes store. Do you ever buy anything from there?

I have 2 smartphones, I have GPS turned off on both, and I still access anything I want whenever I want on VZW's and Bberry's website. A credit card company doesn't force me to have my every more tracked via a chip in the card and sell the info to other companies, and if I decline to be tracked they shut off my access to their website. Your analogies are apples to oranges (no pun intendend).

[nom3rcy]

I can switch off the GPS in my iPhone and not be locked out of anything either.

And where are you seeing that they sell personal info to 3rd parties? I am a developer and I know what info is shared.. it is mostly location only which means a local car dealership can place ads in gas price apps for a certain region, etc. The dealership or app developer wouldn't get your address and phone number etc

If you want to talk about kool aid you should check your own glass because you are the one buying into the media bullshit - do a little bit of your own research and it is easy to see that this is much ado about nothing.