Facebook to comply with iOS 14 privacy requirements

Facebook will continue to use Apple’s device identifier, but will show users an opt-in prompt when it comes to cross app tracking.

Facebook’s email claimed it had “no choice” but to comply with the mandatory prompt to users, as there was a possibility that Apple could block Facebook and its other apps from the App Store for non-compliance. (REUTERS)

Facebook will comply with Apple's strict privacy protection requirements that were turned on shortly after the release of iOS 14, after a protracted online spat with the latter including an ad campaign criticising the move, according to news reports.

The company sent out emails to businesses, in which it has expressed its disagreement with the Cupertino-based company's new requirements for apps that track users across applications in iOS 14 and beyond, according to a recent report by iMore. Apple has mandated that all apps must include ‘privacy labels' that show basic information about whether an app is tracking you and what information it is collecting.

According to reports, Facebook's email claimed it had “no choice” but to comply with the mandatory prompt to users, as there was a possibility that Apple could block Facebook and its other apps from the App Store for non-compliance. You can read more about the improvements to iOS privacy controls with our handy guide.

Just last month, the social networking giant ran an ad campaign claiming that Apple's changes to the process of collecting user data and targeted advertising would be ‘devastating' to smaller businesses. It had also claimed that ads not based on personalised targeting generated 60% lesser sales than those that targeted consumers.

We believe users should have the choice over the data that is being collected about them and how it's used. Facebook can continue to track users across apps and websites as before, App Tracking Transparency in iOS 14 will just require that they ask for your permission first. pic.twitter.com/UnnAONZ61I

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) December 17, 2020

Apple CEO Tim Cook had responded that the company's latest policy did not prevent Facebook from tracking its users. He had tweeted that the company believed users should have the choice over the data that is being collected about them and how it was used - Facebook could continue to track users across apps and websites as before, App Tracking Transparency in iOS 14 would just require that they ask for user permission first.