[dannysu]

People don't have problem using an Apple account because they're not using that to track you everywhere and then use that against you in ads.

It's the same thing between Chrome vs Firefox. People also don't have a problem with their Firefox account used for syncing. Why? The scope is limited.

If you don't use Google Play as an app store, security quickly becomes an issue. And even if you are using Google Play, the inherent ability for apps to do whatever offers less privacy than the iOS equivalent.

Apple was very much criticized in the earlier days when apps would leak personal data out. They've since focused on giving the users more control about what to share. Android on the other hand, not so much.

I've used Android as my primary phone for a number of years. Privacy and security are some of the reasons that I will only buy Apple phones now. I wish that wasn't the case because I do want the variety of phone choices and the lower cost options. I also do like Android for its other aspect, but security and privacy ranks towards the very top of my criteria.

[stanleydrew]

> ... track you everywhere and then use that against you in ads.

This sentiment is really interesting. Thinking that ads are overtly antagonistic, that they are an "attack" of sorts I guess makes sense. And then when Google or FB enables advertisers it's seen as an affront.

I am interested in why there aren't similar levels of vitriol for, say, NBC/ABC/CBS or any TV broadcaster for enabling the ads that they show us.

[kej]

It's not the ads themselves so much as the tracking required to target them. When it was just Google showing ads at the top of the search results that matched whatever I just searched for, that was fine and often even helpful.

When Google is tracking where I'm going, my browsing habits, and even where I shop and what I buy, that's when I start to get creeped out about how much they know about me.

If NBC was watching my TV and putting in ads based on every show I've ever watched, I'd be concerned about that, too.

[ryandrake]

I will raise my hand--Over decades, I've made a conscious effort to reduce, minimize, and when I can, eliminate ads of all kind from my headspace. From little things like ad blocking and not watching TV (yep, I'm one of those guys), to deliberately choosing routes to and from work and other places so as to minimize the number of billboards invading my field of view. I see them as unwanted communications that I do not consent to, similar to how we think of telemarketers and door-to-door solicitors.

[nnutter]

I haven't seen a TV ad in 8+ years.

[XR0CSWV3h3kZWg]

Thats near unbelievable, I haven't owned a TV in near a decade and I see a TV ad at least once a month. I walk by TVs too often to not see them.

[majewsky]

I think it depends on where nnutter lives, and it also depends on his social circle. Since nearly none of my friends have TVs, I can go months without seeing an ad. (I myself do have a TV, but I only watch public broadcast channels that do not have ads except for their own programming.)

[lucideer]

I can believe it. I haven't owned a TV in many years, and while I do see an ad or two relatively regularly (my parents own a TV), even when I visit them I often never see it on.

Outside of visiting them, I can't even think of any situations where I'd encounter one. We've got TVs in work but they only show static screens with schedules and notifications. No channels. None of my friends own one and I do actively avoid sports bars.

I'm probably in a minority but I don't think I'm extremely unusual. Definitely a fast growing minority at least.

[stanleydrew]

You're being deliberately obtuse, but I'll play along.

8+ years ago, when you were still seeing TV ads, were you feeling as attacked by TV broadcasters as you are by Google/FB today?

[jm_l]

I think this is a neargroup-fargroup thing. I'm willing to bet that very little of the Hackernews demographic watches enough NBC/ABC/CBS to feel subjugated by their ads, but most of us use Google and Facebook a whole lot.

[fs111]

> People don't have problem using an Apple account because they're not using that to track you everywhere

I would not be so sure about that..

[falcolas]

Why? Mind citing some sources so we can make more informed choices? I've heard this accusation a few times, but there's not a lot of info contradicting Apple's word on how they are using the data they collect.

[fghtr]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone#Secret_tracking

(it's from 2011-2015, but still...)

[falcolas]

Here's what I take from that (emphasis mine):

> "Apple has never worked with any government agency from any country to create a “backdoor” in any of our products or services. We have also never allowed any government access to our servers. And we never will."

IMO Turning over data they have stored in response to government requests while working to reduce the data they have access to is rather different from using it to build profiles about their customers and sell their eyeballs to third parties.

[hellbanner]

Yes. This text is new from a more recent privacy policy update. They made a big update a couple years ago and their warrant canary disappeared - the text changed to let you read between the lines like you did.. the pot is boiling, HN.