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Apple Eyes In ITunes: A Little Bit Of Adware?
John Stith
Staff Writer
2006-01-11
 Security News RSS Feed
It would seem Apple is watching what you listen to. A new version of iTunes for Mac looks to be discussing the users behavior with the home office. Bloggers are reporting in that the new update is asking to contact 207.net (better known as Omniture) and then passes on the information Apple deems useful back to Apple.
A hat tip goes to BoingBoing for this one. The blog since1968 posted screenshots and a copy of Apple's privacy statement on the software:
Apple takes your privacy very seriously. Be assured that Apple does not sell or rent your contact information to other marketers. To help us provide superior service, your personal information may be shared with legal entities within the Apple group globally who will safeguard it in accordance with Apple's privacy policy. There are also times when it may be advantageous for Apple to make certain personal information about you available to companies that Apple has a strategic relationship with or that perform work for Apple to provide products and services to you on our behalf. These companies may help us process information, extend credit, fulfill customer orders, deliver products to you, manage and enhance customer data, provide customer service, assess your interest in our products and services, or conduct customer research or satisfaction surveys. These companies are also obligated to protect your personal information in accordance with Apple's policies. Without such information being made available, it would be difficult for you to purchase products, have products delivered to you, receive customer service, provide us feedback to improve our products and services, or access certain services, offers, and content on the Apple website.
The blog points out Omniture's statement, in which they admit to being a marketing firm:
Omniture knows that privacy is a critical part of a positive online experience-and that you need to feel confident your privacy is always being protected.
Omniture gives you every assurance that while you are on this Web site or using its products and services, your information is secure.
Omniture's measurement tools are used to improve Web site design, to help market products and services more effectively, and to generally improve your user experience.
Omniture is committed to monitoring, adopting, and following the highest standards of privacy in the industry.
Now, chances are, Apple just wants to use this information to help it make recommendations to its users. That's what they all do. But the point is, they have sold the info to a marketing company and what they do with it could change if at some point, Apple's margins are quite where they need to be.
The battle over the fine line between being helpful and being victims of adware seems to be shrinking all the time. It can only be assumed, however, that this trend will continue as companies strive harder to follow their customers every move.
About the Author:
John is a staff writer for SecurityProNews covering cyber security.
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