Academic Tech Tips

With the introduction of iOS6, Apple has snuck in a feature that many users don’t even know exists. Identifier for advertisers, or IFA, is a random number assigned to a device and its user. It’s nothing all that unheard of, think grocery stores providing tailored coupons based off data they collect every time you use their “club card.” The reason IFA is more invasive though is it allows ad companies to not only tailor what ads show up on the screen of your smartphone, but it also lets them know if you clicked the ad, even if you downloaded or purchased whatever the ad was for. Even that’s not the biggest issue, what’s worse is that it’s on automatically without users even knowing it. Luckily though, there is a way to turn it off. To turn it off, first you need to go to “Settings” and then to “General” (not Privacy, which would seem logical). Then it’s off to “About” and finally, select “Advertising.” Here is the confusing part, naturally one would think something set to track your data needs to be turned off. In this case though, the option is labeled “Limit Ad Tracking,” it needs to be turned ON. Being ON in this instance actually means being off. In a world of constantly less and less privacy, it’s nice to be able to control and maintain some form of privacy.

For more information, check out this article:
http://www.businessinsider.com/ifa-apples-iphone-tracking-in-ios-6-2012-10