Glossary
Mobile App Terminology

iOS app privacy report


What is an iOS app privacy report?

The iOS App Privacy Report is a feature introduced by Apple in its iOS 15.2 update. This tool is a groundbreaking feature that allows users to monitor and manage data privacy on their iOS devices. It gives users a comprehensive overview of how individual apps access and utilize their personal data, such as location, camera, microphone, and more. It also offers insights into each app’s network activity, including the web domains they frequently contact. 

By presenting this information in a user-friendly format, the iOS App Privacy Report empowers users to understand and control how their data is being accessed and used. Users can easily navigate through the report to gain a clear understanding of which apps have access to their data. As a result, users can make informed decisions about their privacy settings.

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How do you use the iOS app privacy report?

The iOS App Privacy Report is a significant step towards data transparency, allowing users to monitor and control how their data is accessed and used by apps. Once activated, the Privacy Report tracks the activity of individual apps and websites, breaking down the information into sections for easy understanding. Once activated, this feature tracks the activity of individual apps and presents the information in a user-friendly format. Users can delve into additional details, clearly understanding how their data is accessed and used.

The report is divided into sections, providing users with a comprehensive view of how their data is being accessed and used. It displays a summary of the number of times an app has accessed specific types of data, such as location or camera, within a given period. Users can then drill down into each app to gain more detailed insights.

One of the key aspects of the iOS App Privacy Report is its ability to highlight unexpected or excessive data access. A map or weather app may be justified in accessing your location, but if you come across a music app trying to access your location, you may consider revoking the app’s permission. Similarly, you wouldn’t want a calculator app to access your microphone. Users can take appropriate action if an app appears to be accessing data unexpectedly or more frequently than anticipated. They can update their privacy settings to restrict or revoke permissions for that particular app. Such a granular level of control ensures that users have the final say in how their data is accessed and utilized.

In addition to monitoring data access, the iOS App Privacy Report also provides information on network activity. It shows the web domains that apps have contacted in the last seven days, giving users insights into potential data sharing or tracking practices. Access to this information allows users to make informed decisions about which apps they trust with their data.

The report distinguishes between domains that the app may have contacted “directly” vis-a-vis the domains “contacted by other content.” An example of the former would be a weather app accessing and displaying current temperature data. On the other hand, the latter is what happens in case a video is auto-played by an ad module.

The iOS App Privacy Report is an opt-in feature to further enhance user privacy. Users have complete control over whether they want to activate and utilize this tool. The data collected for the report is stored solely on the user’s device, ensuring that Apple does not collect or access it. The report covers up to seven days of activity, providing users with a comprehensive view of data access and usage over time.

Singular and the iOS app privacy report

As a leader in data analytics and marketing intelligence, Singular recognizes the importance of data privacy and transparency. The iOS App Privacy Report aligns with Singular’s commitment to empowering users with control over their data.

Singular is committed to global-best SKAN attribution and marketing measurement, global-best Privacy Sandbox attribution and measurement, and the best privacy-safe MMM product for digital marketers.

With increased scrutiny on data collection and usage, businesses must ensure strict compliance with privacy laws. Singular’s utilization of privacy-safe attribution and measurement aligns with Apple’s iOS App Privacy Report and allows it to stay ahead of regulatory changes to provide its clients with the necessary tools and insights to maintain compliance.

To sum up, the iOS App Privacy Report is a powerful tool for enhancing data transparency and control. For Singular, it represents an opportunity to deliver more accurate analytics, optimize marketing strategies, and uphold its commitment to data privacy. As data privacy continues to be a significant concern, tools like the iOS App Privacy Report will play a crucial role in empowering users and businesses alike.

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