Video streaming: Praise for Apple’s data protection approach to Apple TV

There are streaming boxes and streaming sticks like sand by the sea – from smaller providers and the very big ones such as Amazon and at some very reasonable prices. There are also televisions that are always “smart” these days and bring corresponding internet-related surfaces. The question is, however,: How data protection and privacy are these devices? Which system looks at the user when looking and / or annoys him with an advertisement? The renowned IT blog Ars Technica has this month a larger analysis carried out. The result: Apple’s TVOS box Apple TV scores significantly better in most points than the competition. But one problem remains comparatively High price (from € 166.90) And the fact that at least Apple receives more data.

“Plump the Internet from the TV, connect Apple TV”

A general advice among many readers of Ars Techica is to withdraw the internet rights to the television (turn off WLAN or pull off the network cable) and instead to connect an Apple TV box via HDMI. According to its own analysis and questioning of data protection experts, this step is also correct. “Apple TV offers significantly more privacy than other providers of streaming hardware.” At Apple, for example, the automatic content detection is missing, with which increasingly more providers of smart TVs and streaming devices recognize what users see in order to then record suitable advertising. The basic tracking is also less. So you can select an “ASK app not to track” for all apps.

This means that apps cannot access the device’s advertising ID and not track users across apps. An expert for end customer privacy protection at the Public Interest Research Group stated to ARS Technica that Apple’s business model was not dependent on selling targeted advertising. So the group has a lower interest in absorbing and monetizing “incredible amounts of data”. However, Apple is also increasingly interested in advertising sales as part of its employee business. Added to this is the fact that most users use their Apple account with Apple TV.

Care before third party apps

Most positive aspects of the Apple TV data protection apply to the group’s in-house TV app, but this does not present all streaming content. Instead, many users use competing apps from Netflix, Disney+ or Google’s YouTube. Here you should continue to pay attention to the data protection conditions.

There are special markings in the App Store, so-called data protection label. In addition, Apple’s well-known anti-tracking measures also apply, since all applications are sold via the App Store and must comply with the corresponding rules.