Apple has made some good steps against the insane erosion of privacy, but why don’t they take it all the way? Yes, Google pays Apple to be the default search engine in Safari, but Apple doesn’t need Google’s money at all. And I’m sure Microsoft would pay them handsomely to have Bing be the default search in Safari (not that Apple needs Microsoft’s money either).
With Safari having about 4% share on desktop, about 27% on smartphones and about 50% on tablets, Apple cracking down on this crazy privacy invading free-for-all could really change things in a significant way. I’m sure there’s more privacy improvements they could make for iOS apps as well, this stuff doesn’t need to be reserved for Safari.
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<blockquote><em><a href="#311889">In reply to dcdevito:</a></em></blockquote><p>I don't think you understand how the Siri Shortcuts app works. A user has to create the shortcut and in the process they approve data sharing from an app to Siri. The data isn't collected without out user consent and they specifically have to request that it is. Perhaps we disagree but I don't see this as a privacy issue given the user willing gives up the information and given the user as to go out of their way to make it happen is certainly isn't sneaky.</p>
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<blockquote><em><a href="#312007">In reply to dcdevito:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yeah, at this point I really don't know what your point is and I'm not sure how gaining user consent and being transparent is "sneaky".</p>
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<p>I wish Apple would change the default engine to Duck Duck Go personally but given that it is easy to change the default I'm not supper up in arms about it. I did see that Apple is going to start requiring all apps to have their privacy policy posted in the App Store and in the app itself which I think is a step in the right direction. Users should be able to easily find out what they are signing up for when they considering downloading an app. </p>
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<blockquote><em><a href="#312207">In reply to Bdsrev:</a></em></blockquote><p>While you rare correct that Apple Maps was a complete train wreck when it came out the two situations are fairly different. Apple replaced a third party service with their own as part of a longer term services strategy. If you were arguing that Apple replace google with their own search engine that would be more analogous. To that end, I do think the intent is for Siri to eventually usurp the standard web based search engine so you may get your wish. (And because someone is going to see that as me say Siri is great, good or even mediocre that is not what I am doing. I'm simply speculating on Apple's long term plans not the quality of said plans). </p><p><br></p><p>Also, as far as Google scrambling? At a minimum they had three months noticed that they were being dropped as the data source for the default iOS mapping app as the announcement came three months prior to the release of iOS 6. My guess is Apple likely gave them even more of a heads up on that or it coincided with a contractual agreement ending. I'm guessing Google simply took the six months to make sure they got it right rather than scrambling. </p>
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<blockquote><em><a href="#312463">In reply to Bdsrev:</a></em></blockquote><p>iOS 6 was announced in June and shipped in September. Pretty much the standard that they do now. So at a minimum they had three months. I believe you are correct on the December part but app development isn't my wheel house so I have no clue if three months is enough time or if it was indeed a six month scramble. </p>