However, Cupertino at least practices what it preaches.
Apple isn’t usually a company that criticizes others for their lack of technological adoption; rather, the Cupertino crew engages in reality distortion, hyping up technology that’s been integrated into the latest iPhones while ignoring the fact that Android devices have had it for years; cough iPhone 15 USB-C cough.
However, there are moments when Apple actually practices what it preaches, such as maintaining a strict privacy policy. This discovery was prompted by an internal presentation that appeared in a Google antitrust suit (h/t The Verge), in which Apple declared that Android is “a huge tracking device.”
This all stemmed from a presentation in which Apple outlined a push for “Competing on Privacy,” with the goal of handling data privacy better than competitors such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. And Android appears to be getting a lot of attention.
Of course, both Android and iOS smartphones track their users in some way, with the goal of providing more targeted recommendations and advertisements, as well as fueling a number of services ranging from navigation to payments.
To its credit, Apple did not simply criticize Android; it has prioritized privacy. Instead of an opt-out method, Apple products need consumers to grant apps and services permission to track them for advertising purposes.
Pushing for privacy
In my experience, iPhones are far more careful and finicky when it comes to enabling certain permissions and flagging data collecting rules, whereas Android phones appear to be much happier to suck up data.
As a person enjoys going back over Google Maps’ Timeline feature to see where I may have gone after a few too many alcoholic beverages, I’m fine with some of the tracking Google apps and Android as a whole carry out. And I don’t mind if devices like the Google Pixel 8 Pro use my data to improve their AI functions.
Others, however, choose to retain a low profile and limit the amount of tracking and data collection that giant tech companies may do. I frequently have chats with folks who believe their social accounts and internet footprint are low, only to demonstrate how an app like Instagram may uncover profiles if they are partially linked to WhatsApp.
So, while Apple’s dedication to privacy is admirable, it is far from ideal. It’s also worth mentioning that Android’s privacy procedures have been strengthened, with more controls and prompts to share data access and tracking rather than requiring customers to opt-out after the fact. Various phone manufacturers have also incorporated privacy features on top of Android to provide customers more control over their data if necessary.
