Apple Unleashes Privacy Super‑Power
Just a beat after the Facebook data gaffe, Apple rolled out a fresh batch of iPhone and Mac updates that say, “Not today, Facebook!” during its annual WWDC shindig on June 4. The big news? Apple’s new OS kills trackers and cookies that Facebook’s “Like” buttons love to deploy on web pages, thanks to a clever tweak that keeps invisible spies at bay.
Why It Matters
- Spot-on privacy – Apple’s software blocks those pesky path‐picking cookies that would otherwise tag you while you hop from site to site.
- Cool, silent updates – No more sneaky long‑tail data collection from you scrolling about.
- Festive launch – The announcement saw ~6,000 developers cheer as VP Craig Federighi took the stage, declaring that this year the “Like” buttons are officially in the dust.
Federighi’s High‑Energy Take‑away
With an electric crowd in the heart of Silicon Valley, he quipped: “Turns out ‘like’ buttons and ‘comment’ fields are secret spies, so this year we’re shutting that down.” And with this update, Apple’s next‑gen software gives users a solid shield against any unwarranted data sleuthing.
What’s on the Horizon?
Apple’s new operating systems are coming soon to both iPhones and Macs, with a fine‑tuned focus on user privacy amid the European Union’s fresh privacy regulations and tech pundits’ growing unease with social‑media data snoops.
Apple Tosses New Privacy Tricks Into the Tech Pot
When Tim Cook stepped onto the Apple stage, he didn’t just talk data—he dropped a whole bag of privacy goodies that’ll make tracking tech companies look like a bad punchline.
Tracks? Vanished.
- Apple’s fresh macOS Mojave and iOS 12 will scrape data about a device and press it into a clubhouse where the outsiders can’t breathe.
- “It’ll become dramatically more difficult for data companies to identify your device and track you,” Steve said, sprinkling a dash of paranoia that would make Google go “yikes.”
Reacting to the Facebook Scrub “Break”
At the same time, the New York Times broke the cookie‑cutter story: Facebook hand‑off data to “device makers,” including Apple, on personal profiles. Facebook scoffed—“disagreed”—and slapped the difference between developers and device makers. But Apple’s quietly cranking through all the best still—as if they’re the ones off the nose of the universe.
Switching Off the Siren: Screen Time & Do‑Not‑Disturb Upgrade
- Apple’s Screen Time gives you a “mad‑mix” of apps you’re stuck in—snapping the right moment to check the clock without the evil notifications.*
- Mentors and parents get the ultimate parental control kit: set hard limits for children, roll up daily reports, misbehaving apps get a time‑out.*
It’s Time for “Do‑Not‑Disturb ” the New Norm
“I think we’re all going to be using Do‑Not‑Disturb a whole lot more,” a real Cold‑Case tech dungeon master assured us. Everyone knows the addictive bed‑time tug‑of‑war with phone pull‑backs. Apple is essentially saying: fingers off the phone! That’s a caption from a waiting room.
Apple’s Piece‑of‑Cake: A Roomful of Business Features
Apple keeps delivering feats: FaceTime group calls, Apple Watch running third‑party apps, a Siri that gets a boost, AR platform that has you seeing your living room in plan‑You‑Can’t‑Believe‑It‑Room style. Even CalTech’s plans for breathing docs have hashtags.
But Where’s the AI Action?
Avi Greengart of GlobalData posted a tweet that basically says: Apple’s lagging at AI, Zapp‑like, compared to Google and Amazon. He botched a major AI reveal—Siri improvements weren’t shown, so behind the curtain the guitar still resonates.
Tim Cook’s “Thank‑You” After #AppStore 10‑Year Roll‑Out
Powerful to the point where the Apple App Store has pumped $100 Billion into its ecosystem. Cook terminated the conversation with a breathtaking “App Store has fundamentally changed the way we live.”
All in all, Apple is ready to crack the code on privacy, and respond to all the cups of caffeine that keeps the developers on a caffeine‑inflicted spot. If the future were ever mentioned.
