iPhones store users’ data without their consent in breach of European law, alleges privacy activists

BERLIN (The HQ News) – Max Schrems leading a group of privacy activist filed complaints with German and Spanish data protection authorities against Apple alleging that Apple’s AAPL.O online tracking tool allows iPhones to store users’ data without their consent in breach of European law.

The digital rights group alleges that Apple’s use a tracking code that is automatically generated on every iPhone when it is set up, the so-called Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA).

The code, stored on the device, allows Apple and third parties to track a user’s online behaviour and consumption preferences which in return help third party platforms to send targeted advertisements as per the stored likes of the user which is sevre violation of EU’s e-Privacy Directive, under which a user’s prior consent to the installation and use of such information is mandatory.