Apple may be working a system to replace UDID tracking across iOS apps. The Wall Street Journal says a new tool for helping third-party app makers track the behavior of their customers could be rolled out “in the next few weeks.”
It’s not entirely clear how it would work. According to the report, “the new anonymous identifier is likely to rely on a sequence of numbers that isn’t tied to a specific device.” It’s described as a system that should make people feel a little bit more comfortable than having their iPhone, iPad or iPod’s unique device identifier tracked by app makers or advertisers.
Last year Apple announced it was outlawing iOS apps in its App Store that used UDIDs, or universal device identifiers, to track users across apps. It’s a practice that helps advertisers and developers understand user behavior, but that comes across as really creepy to people who don’t want their behavior to be secretly monitored through their personal gadgets. It wasn’t until March that it appeared Apple was actually starting to crack down, however.
WWDC, the company’s annual gathering of app makers kicks off Monday, so it clearly makes sense to introduce the system next week, but that’s not a sure thing.
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