A new analysis claims that Apple’s device analytics contains information that directly links information about how devices are used, how they perform, what they do, and more to specific users, despite Apple’s claims otherwise.
On Twitter, analyst Mysk found that Apple’s device analytics data includes an ID called “dsId,” which stands for directory service identifier. The analysis found that the “dsId” identifier is unique to each iCloud account and can be directly associated with a specific user, including their name, date of birth, email, and related information stored on iCloud.
On Apple’s device analytics and privacy laws page, the company says that any information collected from a device for analytics purposes cannot be traced back to a specific user. Apple said, “iPhone analytics may include details about hardware and operating system specifications, performance statistics, and data about how you use the device and apps. None of the information collected can identify you personally.”
Apple says that if a user agrees to send analytics information from multiple devices signed into the same iCloud account, it may “correlate some usage data about Apple apps on those devices through the use of end-to-end encrypted syncing.” However, Apple says that even if it does this, users will still be unrecognizable to Apple. Foreign media have asked Apple for comment.
Apple has historically taken a strong stance on user privacy, repeatedly claiming that it considers privacy a “fundamental human right. Apple’s privacy statements have come under increasing scrutiny in recent months, and the company now faces a class action lawsuit alleging that it tracks users without their consent.
