PSA: opting out of being tracked by iOS 6

[jazzfish]

Some background on IFA, Apple's new tracking method for iOS users. Shorter: Apple used to allow tracking by device ID but stopped after privacy concerns. Now instead they allow tracking by... a random string assigned temporarily to your device ID.

At least it can be shut off. On the other hand, I keep finding more places where things need to be shut off. Hence, this list, provided as a public service.

This list will be updated as more places where you have to opt out are discovered.

1. In the Settings app, tap General, then About. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap Advertising. Make sure the Limit Ad Tracking switch is set to On.
   
   
2. In the Settings app, tap Privacy, then Location Services. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap System Services. Make sure the Location-Based iAds switch is set to Off.
   
   
3. In Safari on your device, browse to oo.apple.com. Make sure the Interest Based Ads switch is set to Off. You may have to repeat this for each device.
   

Comments

[thanate]

Also of note, safari (at least in the full computer versions, but probably anywhere) is extremely vulnerable to security breaches, and you might be better off swapping to something else (ok, not IE) and deleting it entirely.

[jazzfish]

Ugh. I would hope Mobile Safari is okay, since there aren't (or at least weren't until very recently) any other options.

(I do use immobile Safari, but only for Facebooking.)

[thanate]

Yeah, by vulnerable I mean complete computer takeover within five minutes of arrival at the hacker sort of con, whether you're actually using Safari or not. (which I believe was on official apple demo machines, several releases in a row) Ask grauwulf if you want details. For normal use, you've probably got sufficient safety in numbers & all that so long as you keep up on your security updates and stay out of particular trouble zones, but... generally not so much recommended.