Apple Collects iPhone Location Data for Ad Targeting
Company says data related to iPhone device location is used to target ads across its iAd network.
Company says data related to iPhone device location is used to target ads across its iAd network.
In response to criticism of its data collection practices, Apple today announced plans to issue a software update letting iPhone users prevent location-related information on their devices being transmitted to the company. That data is used to target mobile ads via its iAd mobile advertising network, it said.
Apple issued a press release saying its iPhones collect data on Wi-Fi hotspots and cell towers near users’ locations. According to the Cupertino, CA-based firm, that information allows it to quickly calculate the location of a device without the use of GPS. The practice is employed “to help your iPhone rapidly and accurately calculate its location when requested,” the company said.
The collection of that information should cease when a user switches location services off in their device settings, Apple said, but it doesn’t currently. “This is a bug, which we plan to fix shortly,” it stated, adding that an iOS update will be released “in the next few weeks.”
Apple does not currently share location data collected from iPhones with third parties without user consent, it said, but does utilize the information to target ads via its iAd mobile advertising network. Besides location information, the company also analyzes data from its AppStore and iTunes products, including demographic and behavioral information, such as users’ ages and which applications and music they download.
In the release, Apple said it “strongly” believes that personal information security is important, citing the granular control over location information its devices provide. “iPhone was the first to ask users to give their permission for each and every app that wanted to use location. Apple will continue to be one of the leaders in strengthening personal information security and privacy,” the company said.
Lucy helps organizations leverage knowledge for in... View Tech Talk
TVSquared is the global leader in cross-platform T... View Tech Talk
Grata is a B2B search engine for discovering small... View Tech Talk
Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing ... Download Now
Data is the lifeblood of so many companies today. ... Download Now
This report documents the findings of a Fireside c... Download Now
Customers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touc... Download Now
Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing habits. Streaming video, however, still comes with a variety of pesky frustrations that viewers are ...
View resourceData is the lifeblood of so many companies today. You need more of it, all of which at higher quality, and all the meanwhile being compliant with data...
View resourceThis report documents the findings of a Fireside chat held by ClickZ in the first quarter of 2022. It provides expert insight on how companies can ret...
View resourceCustomers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touchpoints – globally! Make sure your brand shines in those critical moments. Read More...
View resourceGiants like Google and Facebook have a monopoly on data, something that will only change if advertisers call them on it, the way Kellogg's and Kraft F...
View articleThere are big-name social apps for creating, sharing and discussing nearly every form of media. The spoken word, however, had been sorely under-repres...
View articleUnderstanding the value of a quality visual marketing strategy is essential for digital advertising success. Read More...
View articleResearch indicates that media buyers are more inclined to advertise on Snapchat, Pinterest, and Instagram than on Facebook. Read More...
View articleWith the advent of social platforms, apps, and the accepted practice of multichannel publishing that fluidly translates across multiple devices, did G...
View articleTo achieve success in today's market, advertisers and publishers must consider consumer gravity's impact on digital strategy. Read More...
View articleMobile devices are increasingly becoming the platform of choice for viewing both short and long-form video content. How can advertisers take full adva...
View articleHere are eight refined tips to make sure that you're getting the most out of your native advertising strategy and enjoying the highest levels of consu...
View article