You have to agree to the terms, however you can then immediately opt out of the specific change and continue using the Appstore as normal without sharing location based information.
I'm not sure how this is any worse than G-mail scanning e-mails of Google or Bing using your web searches.
You can opt out of receiving location-based ads, but you cannot opt out of sharing your location. Just read the terms of http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4228 carefully.
I stopped using the store because of this issue. Now, if there is some hidden option that will block this "feature" that's different, but I have yet to find it.
Why is it that I always feel that location awareness is used vastly more against my interests than for it? With the exception of Google Maps, I can't think of a single instance where it's helped me. You can't watch this, because you aren't here. You can't listen to this because you aren't here. You can't subscribe to this. You can't download this app. In the case of O2 in the UK, you can't even use our website. But, you know, at least I'll get some ads in the wrong language because I'm an expat. Win win!
What irritates me is that they say that the data is "anonymous" but it is clearly grouped to develop a targeting package to you, so how anonymous can it be when you log into the store from your house every few days.
It depends on how Apple provides those ads. If they handle the ad selection on their end, and don't provide any information back to the advertiser, it's functionally anonymous.
Saying "here's this guy's address, provide an ad for him" is very different from "send me ads for this area, and I'll show them to people who are near there".
Exactly. Real-time location data personally identifies you. It's probably better for that purpose than your name. There is no way to collect this data that does not personally identify you.
Is there a way to opt-out of Apple's location tracking altogether? I know apps usually request express user permission for it on a case by case basis, but the way I'm reading the new T&C, Apple and/or it's partners no longer need it in iOS 4. Is this correct?
It seems like the opt-out link mentioned in the article is just for iAds and relative to cookies, etc, and not location tracking.
Settings -> turn off "location services". This will prevent any app from requesting this info. Of course, you're not going to be able to use Maps or other apps that require GPS. And of course, websites you visit can still use the same GeoIP tracking that they use for non-mobiles.
Article doesn't show the details of this very well.
If an app is iAd supported, it makes sense to not allow a person to download it if they have iAds off, but I'm not sure if there is a more complete shutdown of the store for those who opt out.
So, Apple is targeting ads based on location? How is this different from any other ad network in existence? At least Apple is providing an easy to use opt-out mechanism: http://oo.apple.com/
What do you mean 'what now'? It'll be the same as it's always been - a few tech-savvy people will complain about it on the internet while the majority of the population won't give a second thought to sharing their location with Apple, and Apple will continue to rake in the money.
I can't even imagine how much money this sort of data would be worth to marketers - you would be able to pinpoint exactly which areas have high densities of people at which times, how long an individual stays on average, etc. You could use the iPhone's microphone to detect noise levels in the area and how they fluctuate over time, which would be extremely useful.
[+] [-] Tyrannosaurs|16 years ago|reply
You have to agree to the terms, however you can then immediately opt out of the specific change and continue using the Appstore as normal without sharing location based information.
I'm not sure how this is any worse than G-mail scanning e-mails of Google or Bing using your web searches.
[+] [-] huhtenberg|16 years ago|reply
You can opt out of receiving location-based ads, but you cannot opt out of sharing your location. Just read the terms of http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4228 carefully.
[+] [-] Retric|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] michaelcampbell|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sambe|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] thefool|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dlytle|16 years ago|reply
Saying "here's this guy's address, provide an ad for him" is very different from "send me ads for this area, and I'll show them to people who are near there".
[+] [-] amalcon|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] spinchange|16 years ago|reply
It seems like the opt-out link mentioned in the article is just for iAds and relative to cookies, etc, and not location tracking.
[+] [-] sounddust|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gte910h|16 years ago|reply
If an app is iAd supported, it makes sense to not allow a person to download it if they have iAds off, but I'm not sure if there is a more complete shutdown of the store for those who opt out.
[+] [-] runevault|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] warmfuzzykitten|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] cmelbye|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] CamperBob|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] someone_here|16 years ago|reply
[+] [-] joshbert|16 years ago|reply
But seriously, what now guys?
[+] [-] w1ntermute|16 years ago|reply
I can't even imagine how much money this sort of data would be worth to marketers - you would be able to pinpoint exactly which areas have high densities of people at which times, how long an individual stays on average, etc. You could use the iPhone's microphone to detect noise levels in the area and how they fluctuate over time, which would be extremely useful.