APPLE ACCUSED

A French start-up lobbying group on Tuesday filed a complaint against Apple, alleging that the tech giant’s newest software does not comply with European Union privacy laws.

In the seven-page complaint obtained by Reuters, France Digitale argued that default settings on Apple’s latest operating software, iOS 14, allow the company to carry targeted ad campaigns based on user data without explicitly asking for prior consent.

The lobbying group, which represents a large share of France’s digital entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, did acknowledge though that iPhone users are asked to grant permission to mobile apps to gather information for developing targeted ads.

Under current EU privacy law, however, all organizations must ask online users if they consent to having some data obtained through the use of online trackers or other tools.