Apple users and Facebook users beware. You will soon see changes to your daily dose of social media and phone use.
Whatever device, social media platform, or internet browser you prefer, data privacy is very important. It is far too easy nowadays for businesses and websites to gain access to your data through online advertising and tracking methods. Some companies depend on these kinds of advertising methods while others strive to offer more options for personal data security. Two tech giants have been on the verge of a legal war relating to data privacy. Facebook and Apple’s feud had been ongoing for a decade. 
You may have heard the recent skirmishes between the two technological icons, but what you may not know is that their feuding goes back to the beginning, when Apple had begun to release their new product, the iPhone. There was a great debate as to what the mobile internet would look like. There were really two options: keeping the original desktop PC design in which users utilized a mobile web browser to visit websites or using a collection of internet-connected software “apps”, to allow the app owning companies to retain more control. To Facebook’s frustration, Apple chose the latter.
So, what is the current fight even about? Back in October of 2018, APPLE CEA Tim Cook, while at a privacy conference in Brussels, spoke out against that spoke out against the business practices of Big Tech rivals. While Cook never mentioned Facebook or its creator Mark Zuckerberg, it was heavily implied that the company was one of the targets of his speech.
For years, Cook has targeted Zuckerberg and other companies for their collection of personal data from their users. In 2014 he stated, “If they’re making money mainly by collecting gobs of personal data, I think you have a right to be worried.” Zuckerberg retorted with a mention of the high prices of Apple devices saying that if customers were truly in “alignment with them, then they’d make their products a lot cheaper.”
What’s the current issue? Apple has stated intentions to offer users a choice whether apps track their data across the web or not. Steve Jobs, previous co-founder to Apple, was a large advocate of offering users the ability to give permission to collect their data. He often stressed the importance of asking permission and it seems he was not the only Apple executive to think so.
Should this proposed plan take place, Facebook, often depending on the lucrative sums coming in from their advertising business, will be unable to collect the necessary user data on some Apple users.
Facebook has been building an antitrust lawsuit against Apple which accuses Apple of utilizing the App Store to disadvantage competitors and monopolizing the industry. As of now, the lawsuit has not been filed, but seeing as how long-standing and competitive this feud has become, it may come to light again soon.
Another setback for Facebook, relating to Apple’s desire for data security, is the new IOS update, which was recently released. According to Apple support, IOS 14.4 aims to improve multiple features for iPhone users:
- Smaller QR codes can be recognized by the camera app
- Option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings for correct identification of headphones for audio notifications
- Notifications for when the camera on your iPhone is unable to be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
The support website does not list the security updates for this IOS update. This is so that people are given a chance to update their iPhones before the specifics of the updates are discovered by potential attackers. According to forbes.com, there are multiple fixes to security flaws in this update, but Apple has admitted they “may have already been actively exploited.”
Unfortunately, hackers have already begun to find loopholes into these new security walls. So, the question many users ask is: should I update now, later or even at all? Apple, Forbes, and other sources push for iPhone users to install the update sooner rather than later. Apple’s security updates page states, "keeping your software up to date is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your Apple product's security.” There are still details relating to Apple’s security issues that have yet to be announced. Nonetheless, it is recommended to go ahead and update now so as to prevent attackers from exploiting the current iPhone flaws.
Sources:
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-comes-out-swinging-against-facebook-over-data-privacy/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/16/technology/facebook-takes-the-gloves-off-in-feud-with-apple.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/23/facebook-vs-apple-ten-year-war-over-internet-business.html
