Apple Getting Sued For Tracking Users' 'Intimate' Data Even When iPhone Analytics Is Disabled

Apple Inc. AAPL is facing a class action lawsuit that says the Cupertino-based tech giant is violating users' privacy rights and monetizing their data without permission. 

What Happened: Inspired by a Mysk research report that says detailed users' information is sent to Apple from the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV and other apps, Elliot Libman, the plaintiff, has filed a lawsuit against the iPhone maker, reported Apple Insider. 

The suit alleges that Apple has some knowledge of what a user is browsing on its flagship apps, violating the right to privacy. It further stated that the (aforementioned) research has uncovered that Apple "records, tracks, collects and monetizes analytics data — including browsing history and activity information — regardless of what safeguards or 'privacy settings' consumers undertake to protect their privacy."

See Also: How To Buy Apple (AAPL) Shares

The lawsuit, in particular, cites "Allow Apps to Request to Track" and "Share Analytics" settings as core issues. 

"Through its pervasive and unlawful data tracking and collection business, Apple knows even the most intimate and potentially embarrassing aspects of the user's app usage — regardless of whether the user accepts Apple's illusory offer to keep such activities private," the suit read. 

Why It's Important: The plaintiff may have a tough hill to climb to win the suit as it is unclear if the filer understands the difference between server-side data collection and the settings at the core of the suit work, the report noted, citing experts. 

Apple has created a privacy-oriented stalwart reputation, but experts say that gaps remain, considering the company gives data to law enforcement 90% of the time, according to The Guardian. 

Read Next: Apple, Amazon Face Lawsuit Over Allegations They 'Artificially Inflate' iPhone, iPad Costs

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