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Privacy Evaluation for Apple Watch

Last updated

Overview

Apple Watch is a smartwatch app that incorporates fitness tracking and health-oriented capabilities. Apple’s terms state that protecting children is an important priority for everyone at Apple. Apple believes in transparency and giving parents the information they need to determine what is best for their child. In addition, Apple's terms state that security and privacy are fundamental to the design of all Apple hardware, software, and services. Apple's terms state they understand the importance of taking extra precautions to protect the privacy and safety of children using Apple products and services.

The Privacy Policy and Terms of Use used for this evaluation can be found on Apple Watch's website and the iOS App Store. This evaluation only considers policies that have been made publicly available prior to an individual using the application or service.

Additionally, other relevant policies used for this evaluation include:

Safety

Apple’s terms state that protecting children is an important priority for everyone at Apple. Apple believes in transparency and giving parents the information they need to determine what is best for their child. The terms state Apple works hard to offer controls for parents that are intuitive and customizable. By creating an Apple ID for their child, a parent enables them to enjoy the same Family Sharing features as the parent and other family members. A child's Apple ID allows them to share music, movies, TV shows, books, applications, photos, calendars, location data and complete tasks with parents and their family. A child is also able to have their own personalized Apple ID experience using all of the services and content available to an Apple ID account holder.

However, parents should be aware that their child may share information with others depending on the Apple features and services that he or she uses, that may include their child’s name and contact information. Apple's terms state they offer interactive services which allow users to post content to share publicly and that personal information and content users share may be visible to other users and can be read, collected, or used by them. Lastly, the terms state there may be times when parents want to limit their child's access to certain types of content or resources available to the rest of the Family. To help parents manage their child's access to Apple ID services and features, Apple offers a few different sets of controls for parents that include Restrictions, Screen Time, and Family Sharing.

Privacy

Apple's terms state they believe privacy is a fundamental human right, and build privacy-by-default into all their products from the ground up, including their apps and services. When a parent creates an Apple ID, the terms state Apple may collect a variety of information, including their name, mailing address, phone number, email address, contact preferences, device identifiers, IP address, location information and credit card information. In addition, when a parent creates an Apple ID for their child, Apple may collect device identifiers, cookies, IP addresses and the geographic locations and time zones in which his or her Apple device is used.

The terms state personal information will only be shared by Apple to provide or improve their products, services and advertising by third party apps. Personal information will not be shared with third parties for their own third-party marketing purposes. However, Apple may use, transfer and disclose non-personal de-identifed information for any purpose. This means that Apple’s websites, online services, interactive applications, email messages, and third-party app advertisements may use tracking technologies to help Apple better understand user behavior, tell the company which parts of their websites people have visited, and facilitate and measure the effectiveness of advertisements and searches. In third-party apps, users may see ads based on other information, but a child's Apple ID may still be able to receive non-targeted advertising on those devices.

Apple's "Limit Ad Tracking" control is enabled by default for all devices associated with a child's Apple ID, to ensure they do not receive targeted advertising from third-party apps. In addition, third-party apps in the Kids Category of the App Store are prohibited from serving behavioral advertisements to children. Lastly, Apple's terms state they do not track their customers over time and across third party websites to provide targeted advertising, and do not make any decisions involving the use of algorithms or profiling that would significantly affect users.

Security

Apple's terms state that security and privacy are fundamental to the design of all Apple hardware, software, and services. Apple takes an integrated approach to ensure that every aspect of the user's experience has security and privacy built in. The terms state that when personal data is stored by Apple, they use computer systems with limited access housed in facilities using physical security measures. Apple's terms state they communicate privacy and security guidelines to all Apple employees and strictly enforce privacy safeguards within the company.

Additionally, the terms state iCloud is built with industry-standard security practices and employs strict policies to protect data. iCloud secures user data by encrypting it when it’s sent over the Internet, storing it in an encrypted format when kept on the server, and using secure tokens for authentication. The terms specify this means that user data is protected from unauthorized access both while it is being transmitted to devices and when it is stored in iCloud. Apple retains the encryption keys in our own data centers and iCloud also stores Apple ID passwords and credentials in such a way that Apple cannot read or access them.

Lastly, Apple's terms state that services use end-to-end encryption and users can enable two-factor authentication to further secure their Apple ID. Keeping software up-to-date and using two-factor authentication are the most important methods that users can do to maintain the security of their devices and data.

Compliance

Apple's terms state they understand the importance of taking extra precautions to protect the privacy and safety of children using Apple products and services. Children under the age of 13 are not permitted to create their own Apple IDs, unless their parent provides verifiable consent, or their Apple ID is part of the child account creation process in Family Sharing, or they have obtained a Managed Apple ID account through their school. The terms also state that in order to provide consent, a parent must review Apple's Privacy Policy, Apple ID and Family Sharing Disclosure, Use and Disclosure of Your Child’s Information, and the iTunes Store Terms and Conditions, before they can begin the Apple ID account creation process for their child.

The terms state that in order to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which covers the online collection of data from children, Apple may take additional steps to verify that the user granting permission for the creation of a child's Apple ID is his or her parent or legal guardian. Accordingly, parents will be asked to verify their current iTunes, iCloud or Apple Store payment method. Depending on the payment method, this may be done by methods such as the security code from a credit card or a round-trip SMS verification. The terms state Apple requests this information so that they may verify a parent's identity as the Family Organizer and obtain their consent to the collection of personal information from their child. At any time a parent is able to access, correct, or delete data associated with Family Sharing or their child's Apple ID, or they can also contact Apple for support.

Lastly, Apple's terms state it is important for parents to be aware that third-party apps may be collecting data about children. Parental consent does not apply to the data collection practices of any third party applications or services. Third parties, including the developers of apps downloaded by any Family member and accessible by a child through Family Sharing, may collect, use, or disclose a child's information, and these third parties are responsible for obtaining separate verifiable consent. Apple's terms encourage parents to ask their child to check with them before they grant access to any of their personal information to third-party apps.

Rating

This product received a Pass rating based on the following details:
  • Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
  • Personal information is not shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is not displayed.
  • Data are not collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • User's information is not used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Data profiles are not created and used for personalised advertisements.
Data Collection
SCORE: 65%

What data does it collect?

  • Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected.
  • The categories of collected personally identifiable information are indicated.
  • Collection or use of data is limited to product requirements.
  • Geolocation data are collected.
  • Biometric or health data are collected.
  • Interactions, behaviors, or usage analytics data are collected.
  • Sensitive data are collected.
  • Data is automatically collected.
  • Opt-in consent is requested from users at the time personal information is collected.
  • Personal information of users is collected by a third party.
Data Sharing
SCORE: 80%

What data does it share?

  • Collected information is shared with third parties.
  • The categories of information shared with third parties are indicated.
  • The purpose for sharing a user's personal information with third parties is indicated.
  • The categories of third parties that receive data are indicated.
  • Data are shared for analytics.
  • Data are shared for research and/or product improvement.
  • Third-party services are used to support the product.
  • The roles of third-party service providers are indicated.
  • Unclear whether this product supports third-party login.
  • Contractual limits are placed on third-party data use.
Data Security
SCORE: 95%

How does it secure data?

  • A user's identity is verified with additional personal information.
  • Account creation is required.
  • Managed accounts are available.
  • Multi-factor account protection is available.
  • Third-parties with access to information are required to provide the same security protections as the company.
  • Reasonable security practices are used to protect data.
  • Employee or physical access to user information is limited.
  • All data in transit are encrypted.
  • All data are stored in an encrypted format.
  • Notice is provided in the event of a data breach.
Data Rights
SCORE: 95%

What rights do I have to the data?

  • Users can create or upload content.
  • Users retain ownership of their data.
  • Processes to access or review user data are available.
  • Processes to modify data are available for authorized users.
  • A data-retention policy is available.
  • Processes for authorized users to delete data are available.
  • A user's data are deleted upon account cancellation or termination.
  • Data are deleted when no longer necessary.
  • Methods are available to restrict who has access to data.
  • Processes to download user data are available.
Data Sold
SCORE: 60%

Is the data sold?

  • Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
  • Users can opt out from the disclosure or sale of their data to a third party.
  • User information can be transferred to a third party in the event of a merge, acquisition, or bankruptcy.
  • Unclear whether users are notified if their information is transferred to a third party.
  • Unclear whether user information can be deleted prior to its transfer to a third party.
  • Unclear whether third-party transfers are contractually required to use the same privacy practices.
  • User information that is shared is shared in an anonymous or de-identified format.
  • The company describes their de-identification process of user information.
  • Data are shared for research and/or product improvement.
  • Contractual limits prohibit third parties from reidentifying or de-identified information.
Data Safety
SCORE: 45%

How safe is this product?

  • Users can interact with trusted users.
  • Users can interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults.
  • Profile information must be shared for social interactions.
  • Personal information can be displayed publicly.
  • Users can control how their data are displayed to others.
  • User-created content is reviewed, screened, or monitored by the company.
  • Unclear whether user-created content is filtered for personal information before being made publicly visible.
  • Unclear whether social interactions between users are moderated.
  • Unclear whether social interactions of users are logged.
  • Unclear whether users can report abuse or cyberbullying.
Ads & Tracking
SCORE: 65%

Are there advertisements or tracking?

  • Personal information is not shared for third-party marketing.
  • Traditional or contextual advertisements are displayed.
  • Personalised advertising is not displayed.
  • Data are not collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • User's information is not used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Data profiles are not created and used for personalised advertisements.
  • Unclear whether this company can send marketing messages.
  • Unclear whether this company provides promotional sweepstakes, contests, or surveys.
  • Users can opt out of contextual, or personalised advertising.
  • Unclear whether users can opt out or unsubscribe from marketing communications.
Parental Consent
SCORE: 85%

Can I provide parental consent?

  • Intended for children under 13.
  • Personal information from children under 13 years of age is collected.
  • Intended for parents or guardians.
  • Company does have actual knowledge that personal information from users under 13 years of age is collected.
  • The company does provide a section, heading, or separate policy for children in their policies.
  • Parental consent is required before personal information is collected or disclosed.
  • Parental consent is limited with respect to third parties.
  • Unclear whether this product allows parents to withdraw consent for the further collection of their child's information.
  • Children's personal information is deleted if collected without parental consent.
  • Parental consent notice and method for submission are provided.
School Purpose
SCORE: 19%

Is the product intended for school?

  • Intended for students.
  • Unclear whether personal information or education records are collected from preK-12 students.
  • Unclear whether intended for teachers.
  • Unclear whether this product is primarily used by, designed for, and marketed toward students in grades preK–12.
  • Processes to enter education records into the product are not described.
  • Unclear whether additional rights or protections may be provided with an additional school contract.
  • Unclear whether the company is designated as a school official.
  • Parental consent obligations are transferred to the school or district.
Individual Control
SCORE: 70%

Can I control the use of my data?

  • Users can control the use of their information through privacy settings.
  • Use of information is limited to the purpose for which it was collected.
  • The context or purpose for which data are collected is indicated.
  • Unclear whether company may combine data with additional data from third-party sources.
  • Combined information is treated as personally identifiable information (PII).
  • Unclear whether notice is provided if the context in which data are collected changes.
  • Consent is obtained if the practices in which data are collected change.
  • A grievance or remedy mechanism is available for users to file a complaint.
  • Unclear whether users can request to know what personal information has been shared with third parties.
  • Notice is provided in the event the company receives a government or legal request for a user's information.

Common Sense Standard Privacy Report (SPR)

The standard privacy report (SPR) displays all the privacy practices from a product's policies in a single, easy-to-read outline. The report shows a green check mark for better privacy practices and an orange alert for risky or unclear practices. This alert indicates that more time should be focused on these particular details prior to use.

About Privacy Evaluations

The privacy evaluations have been designed with the help and support of a consortium of schools and districts across the United States. These evaluations are designed to help educators make informed decisions about the potential privacy implications of educational technology used to support teaching and learning.

Our core evaluation criteria will always be freely available. People are encouraged to read the questions we use and our information security primer. Vendors are encouraged to use our questions and the information security primer to self-evaluate. You can also learn more about our evaluation process. Please be in touch with any questions or feedback.