14 DAY TRIAL // Apple fans rocking an iOS 4 device will soon begin to experience iAds, which offer “a dynamic and powerful new way to bring sight, sound, motion, and emotion into the hands of consumers with full-screen video, audio, games, maps, and more,” according to Apple. Soon after rolling out iOS 4 for iPhone and iPod touch yesterday, the Mac maker confirmed that users would be able to opt out of interest-based ads from the iAd network by simply accessing a link on their iOS 4 device.
According to a Support document over at Apple’s website, customers can easily prevent the iAd network from using personal details to serve up user-targeted iAds. All users do is click http://oo.apple.com on their iOS 4 device, and Apple will no longer use their personal information. This option most likely addresses the needs of those concerned with the security of their information.
“Apple and its partners use cookies and other technologies in mobile advertising services to control the number of times you see a given ad, deliver ads that relate to your interests, and measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns,” Apple begins to explain. “If you do not want to receive ads with this level of relevance on your mobile device, you can opt out by accessing the following link on your iOS 4 mobile device: http://oo.apple.com. The message ‘You have successfully opted out’ will appear and you will be automatically opted out of interest-based ads,” the Mac maker informs its customers. Only iOS 4 device owners need to access the aforementioned link. In case customers see the “Opt out not successful” message, Apple advises to wait a few hours and try again.
The California-based electronics giant continues with a set of details about the iAd service. For example, after using the opt-out service, customers may still see the same number of ads as before, according to the iPhone maker. However, they may be less relevant, since Apple will no longer be using their information to serve the appropriate ads. Nevertheless, “You may still see ads related to the content in an application or based on other non-personal information,” Apple claims.
People who use more than one iOS 4 device will need to opt out on each one, if they don’t want their information used in such purposes. Finally, Apple makes it clear that, “Opting out applies only to Apple advertising services and does not affect interest-based advertising from other advertising networks.”