Felix Krause’s discovery that the Meta Facebook and Instagram apps can track iPhone owners on websites didn’t sit well with everyone. Users filed two lawsuits accusing Meta of deviating from Apple’s privacy policy (ATT) and, as a result, violating federal and state laws. Recall that Meta allegedly created a workaround by injecting tracking code into websites using the built-in browser – which allows you to bypass the user’s disagreement.
Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency as part of the iOS 14.5 update released in April 2021. The technology asks the user for explicit consent to be tracked in the app. Meta spoke out against the innovation . The company urged users to allow tracking and warned that ATT could cost the company $10 billion in ad revenue this year.
Meta denied the allegations and said both claims were unfounded and that the company would “strongly defend itself”. Meta also said that its in-app browsers comply with privacy decisions, including ads.
Lawsuits won’t necessarily get class action status, which could result in compensation for many users. Whether or not the lawsuits succeed, they illustrate the tension between Meta, Apple, and privacy advocates. Meta is determined to keep the targeted advertising that fuels its business, even as critics and rival companies raise more objections.
Source: Engadget