Apps on iOS 14 must request permission to track from the beginning of next year

Apple will only start next year enforcing apps for iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and tvOS 14 to ask users for permission to track them. The company is delaying the feature to give developers more time to customize their apps.

Apple reports the delay in a message to developers. The company does not report a precise date on which the opt-in requirement for tracking will take effect, only that it will apply early next year and that the delay should give developers more time for ‘necessary changes’ to their apps. Initially, the privacy feature requirement in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14 would begin with the release of those operating systems later this year. From that release, app developers can already activate the opt-in, but do not have to do so yet.

The feature should provide more clarity to users as to which apps are tracking ad tracking. Apps must provide a notification asking if they can have permission to track. Users can allow or decline this and adjust their choice later. Apps need permission to receive an Identification for Advertisers code, or IDFA, which allows them to track users for advertising purposes.

The change is one of several to ensure user privacy. Apple describes that app product pages should also clarify which data types apps collect, what the privacy policy is, and whether third-party code is used for advertising.

Facebook last week expressed concern that the changes could mean a massive drop in its revenue. The company uses the IDFA codes for its Facebook Audience Network to display targeted advertisements.