Google Disables ""Screenwise Meter" Tracking App on iOS

Facebook recently faced another wave of negative publicity following a TechCrunch report, which claimed that Facebook sideloaded apps onto users' devices that tracked almost everything, and did so with a relatively lax parental consent process. On iOS devices, installing 3rd party apps from outside the Apple App Store is only possible with Apple's explicit permission, and apparently, Facebook was using their enterprise certification to do just that. But following the report, Apple revoked Facebook's license for blatantly violating their data collection policies, and TechCrunch claims that the program "is only for internal employee-only apps" anyway. As it turns out, Facebook might not have been alone, as Google pulled their "Screenwise Meter" research program from iOS devices yesterday. The data collection app is part of the Google Opinion Rewards program, and the company acknowledge that their Screenwise app violated Apple's enterprise program policies. As of this post, Apple hasn't yanked Google's enterprise development license yet.

If you aren't familiar with the Google Rewards program, TechCrunch posted a promotional YouTube video that sums it up nicely, which you can see here.

The company said in a statement to TechCrunch: "The Screenwise Meter iOS app should not have operated under Apple’s developer enterprise program - this was a mistake, and we apologize. We have disabled this app on iOS devices. This app is completely voluntary and always has been. We’ve been upfront with users about the way we use their data in this app, we have no access to encrypted data in apps and on devices, and users can opt out of the program at any time."

I like how a company that large can "accidently" release an app using the wrong certificate. I guess Apple got their point across with Facebook. Wonder how many other companies suddenly will be pulling apps for similar reasons.

Exavior said:

I like how a company that large can "accidently" release an app using the wrong certificate. I guess Apple got their point across with Facebook. Wonder how many other companies suddenly will be pulling apps for similar reasons.

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Risk assessment 101, what are the odds we'll be caught, what backlash can we face.... everything is low? Great lets launch it.

At this point, since there are no repercussions they will just keep getting caught, shut one thing down and secretly steal data using a hundred other methods.


The only way this will ever change is if we regulate and hit them where it really hurts the shareholders. Steep fines.

Zarathustra[H] said:

At this point, since there are no repercussions they will just keep getting caught, shut one thing down and secretly steal data using a hundred other methods.


The only way this will ever change is if we regulate and hit them where it really hurts the shareholders. Steep fines.

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its a nice thought but no one actually cares about privacy or most human/civil rights. anytime an example appears of why privacy is important, we all just shrug it off internally with a "well it didnt happen to me." and go back to shoveling netflix/sports/meme-politics into our brains. aWeSoMEEEE

I'm still having difficulty with the outrage from companies designed to sell data selling data.

dont get me wrong its hilarious but bizarre