Apple is planning to crack down on sites that utilize cross-site tracking. According to Apple, moving forward, it will take a firm stance against these practices by implementing “technical protections” into WebKit the browser engine that Safari runs on. Apple is taking a tough new stance on websites that attempt to monitor and share individuals’ browsing history. In a new policy page, published on Wednesday, the company says it will treat websites and apps that attempt to bypass Safari’s anti cross-site tracking features much like it treats malware. In some instances, Apple says it will implement new anti-tracking features that target the practices of specific bad actors. Additionally, the company notes it will implement those features without offering prior notice. We’ve reached out to Apple for further clarification on how it plans to restrict individual websites and apps.
Cross-site tracking is the practice of monitoring a person’s browsing behavior. Often, it involves sharing data with third parties such as advertisers. If you’ve ever looked at a product on Amazon, and then seen ads for it follow you from website to website, you’ve been a victim of cross-site tracking.
As CNET notes, Apple isn’t the first tech company to announce a crackdown on cross-site tracking. In fact, in the document itself, Apple notes its new policy was inspired by Mozilla’s anti-tracking policy. However, the scale of the company and its cachet with both consumers and within the industry may turn the tide against the practice.
Though Apple didn’t elaborate on the specifics of these protections (perhaps to avoid giving websites a way to easily bypass them), the company does say they will apply to “all” covert or cross-site tracking. No exceptions will be made to this policy: if a website uses any form of tracking mentioned in this page, that functionality will be blocked, no matter how legitimately it might be used.
If a site attempts to circumvent Apple’s anti-tracking measures, the issue will be treated with the “same seriousness” as a security vulnerability.
“If a party attempts to circumvent our tracking prevention methods, we may add additional restrictions without prior notice,”
“If a party attempts to circumvent our tracking prevention methods, we may add additional restrictions without prior notice,” Apple says. “These restrictions may apply universally; to algorithmically classified targets; or to specific parties engaging in circumvention.” In other words, Apple may consider instituting extra punitive anti-tracking measures against bad actors.
Apple acknowledges that there will likely be some unintended casualties in the future. Some relatively-benign practices that could be blocked include bot detectors, fraud prevention tools, “Like” buttons or other social widgets, as well as audience measurement features.
Apple’s commitment to privacy is commendable.
