Apple shakes up user identification in iOS 6
Advertising Identifier replaces UDIDs
Apple is set to realise its plans to phase out the use of UDIDs with the launch of iOS 6, with updated OS set to boast a user tracking tool not tied to specific devices.
Those with access to the platform's beta are reporting UDIDs are to be replaced by what's been called the Advertising Identifier.
The tool is to be mandatory for all advertising networks operating on Apple's platform in the future, though it's implementation is to be rolled out rather than forced from day one.
Unique solution"iOS 6 introduces the Advertising Identifier, a non-permanent, non-personal, device identifier, that advertising networks will use to give you more control over advertisers’ ability to use tracking methods," detailed Apple.
"If you choose to limit ad tracking, advertising networks using the Advertising Identifier may no longer gather information to serve you targeted ads.
"In the future all advertising networks will be required to use the Advertising Identifier."
The shift away from UDIDs to a non-permanent solution was first hinted at back in June.
Who are you?Interestingly, the new system will allow users to 'limit ad tracking'.
The exact ramifications of this change for the ad networks is yet to be made clear, though clearly any alteration to the amount of user data they're able to pool – and the nature of that data – could have a major impact on how they operate.
On a user level, limiting ad tracking will result in a lack of targeted, or relevant, ads being delivered to their device, with generic spots pushed out instead.
[source: 9to5Mac]
