Facebook Tests Pop-Up for iPhone Users Before Ad Tracking Update

  • Prompt will appear before similar message required by Apple
  • Facebook has criticized Apple for planned iOS 14 changes
Facebook will show iPhone users a prompt explaining its data collection before a similar one from Apple.Photographer: Facebook Inc.
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Facebook Inc. is testing a new full-screen prompt for iPhone users about the social network’s data collection in an effort to get ahead of a similar pop-up that Apple Inc. will soon require as part of an operating system software update.

The iOS 14 update, which hasn’t been rolled out yet for iPhones and iPads, will require app developers like Facebook to show users a pop-up asking for permission to “track you across apps and websites.” If users reject the request, it will be harder for Facebook to show those people targeted ads, which make up the bulk of the company’s revenue. Facebook executives have argued the pop-up’s language is alarmist, and worry that it will discourage people from accepting it.