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Apple and Google were today fined 10 million euros ($11 million) by Italy’s Competition Authority for allegedly using user data for commercial purposes without their explicit consent, an apparent violation of Italy’s Consumer Code.
The authority claims that both Apple and Google utilize user data they collect through their services for promotional and economic activity without the user’s consent. Apple “directly exploits the economic value” of user data it collects to “increase the sale of its products and/or those of third parties through its commercial platforms (App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple Books),” according to a machine-translated copy of the press release.
The watchdog claims that neither Apple nor Google provides users with sufficient and immediate information that their data will be used for commercial purposes. Specifically, the readout of the fine claims that Apple does not provide users with a way to opt out of the use of their data for commercial purposes. As per the press release (machine translation):
In the case of Apple, however, the promotional activity is based on a method of acquiring consent to the use of user data for commercial purposes without providing the consumer with the possibility of a prior and express choice on sharing their data. This acquisition architecture, prepared by Apple, does not make it possible to exercise one’s will on the use of one’s data for commercial purposes. Therefore, the consumer is conditioned in the choice of consumption and undergoes the transfer of personal information, which Apple can dispose of for its own promotional purposes carried out in different ways.
The Italian authority said when users create an Apple ID, which is essential for accessing any of Apple’s services, Apple does not “immediately and explicitly provide the user with any indication on the collection and use of (their) data for commercial purposes.” The watchdog added that Apple only tells users that their data will be used to im
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Read the original article: Apple Fined $11 Million in Italy for Employing ‘Aggressive Methods’ in Commercial Use of Private Data