Facebook published ads in newspapers on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, chastising Apple for an iPhone privacy change that will go into effect very soon. Along with the newspaper ads, Facebook also published blog posts and a new website revolving around the issue. Although the social media company will certainly be impacted, it says it’s fighting for the “millions of small businesses” that will be hurt.
Apple’s Privacy Policy Change
Apple is instituting a privacy change to iPhones. It will change the way advertising is seen on the phones. While previously the privacy option was something users would have to know about and then search for to change it, now the option will pop up when they open an app. It’s believed that this will negatively affect advertising, as iPhone users will be able to opt out of having it appear on their phones.
This change was announced last June, and Facebook was quick to criticize Apple then. It accused Apple of moving the Internet that is free but supported by ads to one where apps and services are paid, where Apple takes a 30 percent cut on apps in its App Store. While Apple will still be taking its cut, the small businesses will have no recourse.
Facebook’s Ad Attacking Apple
Facebook made the case in a blog post, saying that Apple’s new tracking rules are “about profit, not privacy.” The social media giant believes Apple is issuing this change anticompetitively, which for many will seem like the pot calling the kettle black.
The Facebook ads ran in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. They read, “We’re standing up to Apple for small businesses everywhere.”
“Without personalized ads, Facebook data shows that the average small business advertiser stands to see a cut of over 60 percent in their sales for every dollar they spend,” stated the ad.
“While limiting how personalized ads can be used does impact larger companies like us, these changes will be devastating to small businesses, adding to the many challenges they face right now.”
The ad directs readers to a link to a website about helping small businesses. Business owners add their thoughts to Apple’s change on the site. It explains what will happen with Apple’s policy change and provides the tools for people to post with the hashtag “#SpeakUpForSmall.”
Facebook made the claim on the blog post that Apple’s privacy policy change will lead to free apps and websites changing their policies and starting to charge since they won’t be able to make revenue from ads.
The social media company also noted that it wouldn’t be affected too negatively by Apple’s change. “We will be fine,” Facebook VP of Ads and Business Products Dan Levy said on Wednesday. Facebook is already making changes based on Apple’s changes.
Facebook also accused Apple of not “playing by their own rules.” It said Apple doesn’t have to follow its own ad policies. But an Apple spokesman insists that the company’s own apps and services have to comply with the tracking rules laid out and that its own ad network is free for developers, with the company making no money from it.
When it comes to personal data, all the major tech companies collect your data for their own use. It’s not only Apple. Facebook does it as well, as do Google and Twitter. Read on to learn how to download your personal data from Google, Apple, Facebook, and Twitter to see just what information they have on you.
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