Apple TV boxes offer significantly more privacy than other streaming hardware providers. Apple TVs prioritize privacy by avoiding automatic content recognition (ACR) tracking, unlike Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV. Users can disable Siri, location tracking, and analytics sharing during setup. Apple doesn’t sell user data or serve targeted ads, offering a more private streaming experience.
Scharon Harding for Ars Technica:
One of the simplest ways Apple TVs ensure better privacy is through their setup process, during which you can disable Siri, location tracking, and sending analytics data to Apple. During setup, users also receive several opportunities to review Apple’s data and privacy policies. Also off by default is the boxes’ ability to send voice input data to Apple.
Most other streaming devices require users to navigate through pages of settings to disable similar tracking capabilities, which most people are unlikely to do. Apple’s approach creates a line of defense against snooping, even for those unaware of how invasive smart devices can be.
“Apple’s primary business model isn’t dependent on selling targeted ads, so it has somewhat less incentive to harvest and monetize incredible amounts of your data,” said RJ Cross, director of the consumer privacy program at the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). “I personally trust them more with my data than other tech companies.”
MacDailyNews Take: Smart people who value their privacy, but we repeat ourselves, stream via Apple TV boxes. Tons more in the recommended full article here.
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