In the News
Ad-tracking, ad-blocking, ad, ads, ads; they are everywhere. In Apple has a plan to make online ads more private, Zack Whittaker at TechCrunch discusses Apple’s new ‘Privacy Preserving Ad Click Attribution’ initiative on Safari browsers, which eliminates the ability for ad companies to know the identity of the individuals clicking on their ads or making purchases on a given site. Whittaker explains that this will increase user privacy while also keeping the internet ‘free’ and allowing data analytics to continue. Whittaker elaborates that this process would have a two-day delay, which would make immediate data regarding ad-tracking impossible.
Our Take
Ads are often seen as a double-edged sword in society. On one hand, they can be bothersome and often appear at the most inconvenient times. On the other hand, they can provide useful inspiration for products or services that you might like. Regardless of your opinion on ads, the idea of ad-tracking and the extent to which data analytics uses your online habits to construct customer profiles is often seen as invasive. While there are options for ad-blockers and other tools to minimize how much ad-tracking impacts you, Apple’s new initiative might be an appealing option for all parties involved. Users want to see an increased privacy initiative regarding the internet, and legislation is currently in the talks for data privacy moving forward. Before law rules whether companies or consumers get the upper hand in the data privacy debate, a compromise like Apple’s ‘Privacy Preserving Ad Click Attribution’ can please both sides.
Recommendations
How can you protect your privacy while browsing online?
- Understand the risks of putting your personal information into the world, and only share what you have to
- Utilize additional security/privacy measures and settings on apps, accounts, and platforms whenever possible
- Minimize the number of accounts that have direct access to your bank account or card numbers
- Only make purchases at reputable online retailers
- Avoid clicking directly on links, whether in email or social media – always search through your search engine to verify legitimacy and find the appropriate site