Facebook continues its bitter bout with Apple over the iOS 14’s data tracking/transparency features by introducing a new login version that developers can leverage for limited user data harvesting.
Some quick background details for those unaware of the situation. Last year, Apple announced that their latest mobile OS, the iOS 14, will be introducing data tracking features built around making sure that users can willingly opt out of data being shared with developers of applications and the like. It also went on to give developers time to change their app policies in order to better comply with these coming changes. Dividing information being siphoned from users into 3 categories highlighting what sort of data is being utilized, Apple is on a trajectory to give its massive community proper agency in protecting their online image. Facebook, making a huge chunk of its revenue off of targeted ads that rely on user data, was rather unpleased with this development, and made its displeasure palpably felt.
While another outburst from Facebook’s end regarding the entire iOS 14 debacle is almost completely to be expected (although only Facebook would be bold enough to label this a debacle when the company itself is being flung from controversy to controversy), its subtlety is a rather surprising turn for the social network. Especially when compared to their prior attempts at buying out full page advertisements in popular newspapers, touting itself as the champion of small businesses. When such heroic endeavors proved useless in front of Apple’s relentlessness and user satisfaction, Facebook ultimately complied and sent out emails to businesses on the platform, asking them to prepare for the coming changes.
However, this new login mode, dubbed the Limited Login mode, is Facebook’s workaround for the entire data tracking policy. Simply put, the platform is offering users two distinct ways to login. The first, labelled the Classic Login mode, will be Facebook as it is known across the community. Limited Login, the second, will allow users to access a version of the app where they only share their name, profile picture, and email address. This way, Facebook more or less complies with Apple’s new regulations, and also allows its developers to retain user data from those that rely on Facebook Classic.
Facebook’s vehement objection and constant admonishment of Apple’s new tracking/transparency feature, while resembling a rather disagreeable child, are not completely unfounded. Smaller companies and indie developers will have a hard time earning revenue from targeted ads due to these new procedures. Then again, it is the constant support of targeted ads from mega corporations such as Facebook that force devs to rely on them as sources of income. Overall, in this writer’s humble opinion, Facebook’s attitude towards users being given an active choice in sharing data that belongs to them comes off as nothing but self-serving and petulant, even.
Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
Read next: Facebook’s Account Quality Dashboard Gets New Account Issues Tab Added To It
Some quick background details for those unaware of the situation. Last year, Apple announced that their latest mobile OS, the iOS 14, will be introducing data tracking features built around making sure that users can willingly opt out of data being shared with developers of applications and the like. It also went on to give developers time to change their app policies in order to better comply with these coming changes. Dividing information being siphoned from users into 3 categories highlighting what sort of data is being utilized, Apple is on a trajectory to give its massive community proper agency in protecting their online image. Facebook, making a huge chunk of its revenue off of targeted ads that rely on user data, was rather unpleased with this development, and made its displeasure palpably felt.
While another outburst from Facebook’s end regarding the entire iOS 14 debacle is almost completely to be expected (although only Facebook would be bold enough to label this a debacle when the company itself is being flung from controversy to controversy), its subtlety is a rather surprising turn for the social network. Especially when compared to their prior attempts at buying out full page advertisements in popular newspapers, touting itself as the champion of small businesses. When such heroic endeavors proved useless in front of Apple’s relentlessness and user satisfaction, Facebook ultimately complied and sent out emails to businesses on the platform, asking them to prepare for the coming changes.
However, this new login mode, dubbed the Limited Login mode, is Facebook’s workaround for the entire data tracking policy. Simply put, the platform is offering users two distinct ways to login. The first, labelled the Classic Login mode, will be Facebook as it is known across the community. Limited Login, the second, will allow users to access a version of the app where they only share their name, profile picture, and email address. This way, Facebook more or less complies with Apple’s new regulations, and also allows its developers to retain user data from those that rely on Facebook Classic.
Facebook’s vehement objection and constant admonishment of Apple’s new tracking/transparency feature, while resembling a rather disagreeable child, are not completely unfounded. Smaller companies and indie developers will have a hard time earning revenue from targeted ads due to these new procedures. Then again, it is the constant support of targeted ads from mega corporations such as Facebook that force devs to rely on them as sources of income. Overall, in this writer’s humble opinion, Facebook’s attitude towards users being given an active choice in sharing data that belongs to them comes off as nothing but self-serving and petulant, even.
Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
Read next: Facebook’s Account Quality Dashboard Gets New Account Issues Tab Added To It
