This kind of thing is why I wish Apple would go back to building Airport routers and only consider “pure” dumb APs as possible replacements.
However, I do not want to have to support, flash or manually patch my home Wi-Fi, which currently consists of no less than 5 Airport Extreme base stations connected via Cat 5. But I also don't want it to send data to the cloud or rely on proprietary apps for management (I tolerate Apple's Airport Utlity because it has worked flawlessly for decades).
I'm running a dual-stack network (IPv4/v6) using DHCPv6 for deterministic IPv6 addresses on hosts, all that is handled by the virtual router running in a container on Proxmox on the server-under-the-stairs. This is also where I run Wireguard (VPN) and adblock.
Maximum wireless speed varies depending on which AP you're connected to, in practice up to about 550 Mbps when using the Xiaomi 4A APs (advertised as AC1200). Range is sufficient for me to have a WiFi connection when I'm in the middle of a 3.5 hectare field on the opposite side of the road, about 150 m and a number of walls plus some trees separated from the nearest AP.
Apple has positioned itself as a company that prioritizes user privacy. Over the years, Apple has implemented numerous privacy features, such as App Tracking Transparency (ATT), which requires apps to obtain user permission before tracking their activity across other apps and websites. Apple's privacy policies are often stricter than those of other tech companies, reflecting their commitment to protecting user data.
The claim that Apple exempts itself from tracking restrictions is misleading. While Apple does have access to certain data from its own ecosystem, such as app usage and iCloud data, it does not sell this data to third parties or use it for targeted advertising in the same way that companies like Google do. Apple's advertising business is limited to its own App Store, News, and Stocks apps, and the data used for ad targeting within these apps is based on user interactions within Apple’s ecosystem, with strict limits on data sharing.
Apple provides users with clear choices and transparency about how their data is used. With features like App Tracking Transparency, Privacy Labels, and the ability to limit ad tracking, Apple gives users more control over their data than most other tech companies. Users can choose to opt-out of personalized ads and tracking, which is a level of control not universally offered by other major tech firms.
Apple’s privacy practices are subject to regulatory oversight in various jurisdictions. Any attempt to exempt itself from its own privacy rules would likely face legal challenges and public scrutiny, further deterring Apple from engaging in practices that would undermine user trust.
And this is where this fantasy story went too far. Just a simple search of "Apple dark patterns" will yield years of tricking people into giving away massive amounts of data that they wouldn't if they really knew how the controls worked.
I'll also leave this at: you have no clue how Apple uses your data. To say otherwise is a flat out lie. SaaS is not a panacea because it's Apple and they market "privacy" and/or "security".
The assertion that “you have no clue how Apple uses your data” oversimplifies the situation. While it’s true that understanding the full scope of data use by any large tech company can be difficult, Apple’s privacy policies and terms of service are publicly available and outline their data practices. Apple’s approach to privacy is built around minimizing data collection where possible, using on-device processing, and keeping data anonymous where feasible. For example, Apple’s advertising platform does not follow users across the web; it uses on-device data and does not share data with third parties.
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a broad category, and it’s true that not all SaaS models are created equal in terms of privacy. However, Apple’s version of SaaS is integrated within an ecosystem that they tightly control, which reduces the reliance on third-party data brokers and limits the potential for data abuse. While it’s always wise to be cautious about data privacy, Apple’s track record—despite some valid criticisms—shows a commitment to privacy that sets it apart from companies whose core business is data monetization.
I think it’s snarky accounts like yours that ruin it, frankly. What’s wrong with nerds like you?
You clearly copied your response (twice) as it has no personal intonation as do your defensive posts. I guess you'd rather write out the defense of your copy and paste?
I ran your (clearly AI generated comments) through a number of checkers and either you write exactly as AI does very often, or... Yeah. Enjoy the facade!
I really have no idea what you are talking about.
The Apple routers and access points did zero traffic inspection (other than IGMP) and had absolutely no tracking features. Please do not bring biased, toxic reasoning into the conversation.
As for data collection, iOS is only marginally better than Android, and Apple exempts itself from the IDFA controls it imposes on 3rd-party apps.
No shortage of paranoid comments here