For all of us who have been curious to know what data has been collected and stored by Apple about us, it is now possible to know.
Apple recently launched a new data and privacy portal; the site will take effect throughout the European Union from Friday. The portal allows you to download almost all the data that Apple has collected about you. This is a new measure to be able to comply with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
According to information security experts, this tool allows you to download everything that is associated with your Apple ID. Apple also provided useful shortcuts to allow you to make changes to your data, deactivate your account and delete your account.
Apple noted that once it makes a request to obtain a copy of the data, it takes up to seven days to compile it and make it available. In the download, once ready, you can find the following information:
- Use of applications and activity information such as spreadsheets or files in JSON, CSV, XML or PDF format.
- Documents, photos and videos in original format.
- Contacts, calendars, bookmarks and email in VCF, ICS, HTML or EML format.
It is important to note that this download will not include your application, books, movies, TV shows or music purchases, the transaction history of the Apple Online Store and the marketing communications history, but this can be obtained separately.
Apple commented that the new portal is currently only available in the European Union, but will soon be extended to the rest of the world:
“The suite of privacy and self-service data tools is currently available to customers in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and in the coming months these capabilities will be provided to customers around the world.”
According to information security professionals, for now, customers in other countries can request modifications to their data or delete their account and data completely. If you live in a country that is not listed, users can contact Apple to request a copy of the data that is stored.
Working as a cyber security solutions architect, Alisa focuses on application and network security. Before joining us she held a cyber security researcher positions within a variety of cyber security start-ups. She also experience in different industry domains like finance, healthcare and consumer products.
