Apple sneaks iAd opt-out into iTunes Store update

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Apple sneaks iAd opt-out into iTunes Store update

Apple has made “material” changes to its iTunes privacy policy, including a section related to the company’s upcoming iAd mobile advertising platform that gives users the option of opting out of the service. “Apple and its partners use cookies and other technologies in mobile advertising services to control the number of times you see a given ad, deliver ads that relate to your interests, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns,” the text says. “If you do not want to receive ads with this level of relevance on your mobile device, you can opt out by accessing the following link on your device: http://oo.apple.com. If you opt out, you will continue to receive the same number of mobile ads, but they may be less relevant because they will not be based on your interests. You may still see ads related to the contrent on a web page or in an application or based on other non-personal information. This opt-out applies only to Apple advertising services and does not affect interest-based advertising from other advertising networks.” Notably, the opt out must be performed from the device, and if a user has multiple devices, each must be opted out separately. Apple is expected to roll out its iAd platform to iOS 4 devices beginning July 1.

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Comments

1

It’s nice that there’s an opt-out—I find targeted ads more disconcerting than useful—but the opt-out should be explicit and upfront.

Posted by camembert on June 21, 2010 at 1:27 PM (PDT)

2

Despite a dozen tries using Apple’s own links, my 2-G iPod touch still gets an “Unsuccessful Opt Out” message that claims I’m “not running iOS 4.” This option clearly isn’t up to snuff.

Doubly irritating, even all though those running this opt-out will be on mobile devices, the web page is designed for Macs and not iPhones or touches. The microscopic is unreadable. Apple needs to make its web pages mobile-device-aware.

Posted by Mike Perry on June 21, 2010 at 8:47 PM (PDT)

3

Even though I spent the best part of 3 hours yesterday upgrading to iOS4 on my iPhone 3G, I also am being told my device is not running iOS4…...

Posted by Bob Levens in UK on June 22, 2010 at 2:05 AM (PDT)

4

Apple can not recognize I have already upgraded to OS4 (still saying my iphone is not running OS4) and multiple attempts to “Opt-Out” are unsucessful. Yet another reason for me to move to a Droid.

Posted by Your Mom on June 22, 2010 at 8:15 AM (PDT)

5

well it says that Apple intends to go live with iAds on 1st July, maybe you cant opt-out until then and apple are just releasing this info so the word spreads

Posted by july 1st? on June 22, 2010 at 11:37 AM (PDT)

6

I have just tried again and this time my opt out was successful…

Posted by Bob Levens in UK on June 22, 2010 at 1:14 PM (PDT)

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