Apple will let users download all iCloud and Apple ID data to comply with new European rul...

Posted:
in iCloud edited March 2018
Apple is switching up its privacy policies to satisfy the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, which takes effect May 25 -- most notably by offering a way to download all personal data stored on Apple servers. [Updated with more details and clarification provided to AppleInsider by Apple]




The data trove will be accessible through the company's Apple ID Web portal. People will also be able to correct personal information, temporarily deactivate an account, or delete one entirely.

The options will come to Europe in early May before spreading to other regions. People were previously able to accomplish the same tasks, but typically only by contacting Apple and requesting it.

An Apple spokesperson told AppleInsider that the implementation of the EU law corresponds with Apple's privacy values, and at the same time gives the company an opportunity to provide more control over personal data. Additionally, Apple noted to us that at present, the ability to get your data, correct data, and delete an account is available currently online in various locations, or by calling AppleCare. The new initiative will consolidate the abilities in one portal.

Today's iOS and tvOS updates also include notes better detailing Apple's privacy policies, and how data is used in individual apps. New iconography highlights when an Apple app wants to share personal data.

In recent years the E.U. has often adopted a tough stance on privacy, for instance enacting a "right to be forgotten" from Google searches.

At this month's China Development Forum, Apple CEO Tim Cook called for stringent privacy safeguards -- even though the Chinese government regularly snoops on residents and now has full access to local iCloud accounts if it wants it.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 17
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 
    edited March 2018 jbdragonmuthuk_vanalingam[Deleted User]cornchip
  • Reply 2 of 17
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    jony0
  • Reply 3 of 17
    racerhomie3racerhomie3 Posts: 1,264member
    Dracarys said:
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    So what ?
    you do know that you can change the region in Settings to US
    jbdragon
  • Reply 4 of 17
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    Dracarys said:
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    So what ?
    you do know that you can change the region in Settings to US
    You mean.... LIE?

    ;)

    Anyway I would think when Apple News DOES make it to Canada it will be more Canadian centric than the US version. 
    edited March 2018 muthuk_vanalingamjony0
  • Reply 5 of 17
    canukstormcanukstorm Posts: 2,693member
    Dracarys said:
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    So what ?
    you do know that you can change the region in Settings to US
    That defeats the purpose.
    sphericjony0
  • Reply 6 of 17
    Dracarys said:
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    So what ?
    you do know that you can change the region in Settings to US
    And how does having non-regional news benefit one?
  • Reply 7 of 17
    asciiascii Posts: 5,936member
    I noticed my Microsoft account has a similar thing too now, you can log in to your Microsoft account on the web and download a data dump of everything they have on you. I for one will be downloading both my Apple and Microsoft ones and looking through them. Thank you Europe!
    ivanhwatto_cobracornchipspheric
  • Reply 8 of 17
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    And I just logged into the similar Google service and dumped anything older than a year. Since I can't think of any reason that I would need to refer back to anything older than that or how it would benefit me on any search I don't know of a reason to leave it there.

    There's always a possibility that I'll discover after the fact a reason that it would have benefited me to leave it but at least now I'll know.

    Oh and thanks for mentioning Microsoft does this too. I hadn't ever looked and had no idea. Heck that probably goes back years before even Google. Apparently I didn't really make much use of them until 2009 since the data at Google older than that was pretty sparse.
    edited March 2018
  • Reply 9 of 17
    charlitunacharlituna Posts: 7,217member
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    from the article it sounds like its being rolled out. first in the EU where its an actual legal issue. the slow spread is probably to avoid possible server issues if everyone tries to do it at the same time. and given what folks do to the online store on a launch night I can understand why they are cautious

    Soli
  • Reply 10 of 17
    gatorguy said:
    Dracarys said:
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    So what ?
    you do know that you can change the region in Settings to US
    You mean.... LIE?

    ;)

    Anyway I would think when Apple News DOES make it to Canada it will be more Canadian centric than the US version. 
    I'm still waiting for the UK version to not be filled with US centric material. I'd be halfway through reading something and see references to "sales tax" or state laws and think ffs.
  • Reply 11 of 17
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    from the article it sounds like its being rolled out. first in the EU where its an actual legal issue. the slow spread is probably to avoid possible server issues if everyone tries to do it at the same time. and given what folks do to the online store on a launch night I can understand why they are cautious

    Well the EU certainly loves to tie compliance to big ol' penalties. Apple only until May 25th to comply or face EU fines up to 4% of revenue so it will be definitely be done before then.

    As you mentioned they could take their time rolling this out elsewhere, but for PR reasons I don't expect too much delay in the US for instance. 
    edited March 2018
  • Reply 12 of 17
    gutengelgutengel Posts: 363member
    I'm curious to see how those rules will be implemented worldwide. Most articles I've read they talk about the rules applying to EU citizens, without distinction wether they are in EU territory or outside. Either way, is a good step on protecting consumer from abuse, and requesting more transparency about the use of personal info.
    ivanh
  • Reply 13 of 17
    gatorguy said:
    Dracarys said:
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    So what ?
    you do know that you can change the region in Settings to US
    You mean.... LIE?

    ;)

    Anyway I would think when Apple News DOES make it to Canada it will be more Canadian centric than the US version. 
    The problem likely LIES ;-) with the Canadian government...
  • Reply 14 of 17
    Dracarys said:
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    So what ?
    you do know that you can change the region in Settings to US
    And how does having non-regional news benefit one?
    You should probably ask those who impose Canadian content laws. 
  • Reply 15 of 17
    Some day, the US will evolve to privacy and security standards available in the EU. 

    In the meantime, it likely explains why every podunk little banana dictatorship in the world can cyber-attack us with complete abandon. We’re just too cheap as a people to invest in privacy and security. 
  • Reply 16 of 17
    sphericspheric Posts: 2,544member
    Some day, the US will evolve to privacy and security standards available in the EU. 

    In the meantime, it likely explains why every podunk little banana dictatorship in the world can cyber-attack us with complete abandon. We’re just too cheap as a people to invest in privacy and security. 
    Privacy requires prioritising consumer interests over corporate interests. 

    The US is farther from that (“OMG SOCIALISM!”) than it has been at any time probably within the last century or so. 
  • Reply 17 of 17
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    gatorguy said:
    Dracarys said:
    gatorguy said:
    I would certainly expect that to become available for North America and any other areas that Apple serves all at about the same time unless Apple is maintaining different databases for different countries, which I suppose they might.  Anyway good move in the name of transparency. 

    Apple News still isn't in Canada.
    So what ?
    you do know that you can change the region in Settings to US
    You mean.... LIE?

    ;)

    Anyway I would think when Apple News DOES make it to Canada it will be more Canadian centric than the US version. 
    More coverage about mooses... meese... moose.
Sign In or Register to comment.