Opinion: Apple's privacy changes are affecting more than just Facebook

MarketWatch First Take Published: Feb. 4, 2021 at 10:42 p.m. ET Apple’s proposed moves are creating dark clouds over other app companies Apple’s privacy changes could have wide-ranging effects on software companies. Getty Images On Thursday, Snap, Pinterest and Unity Software each said they anticipate some issues or headwinds resulting from Apple’s upcoming changes to its privacy settings, seemingly supporting Facebook’s argument that the changes will hurt app makers. All three tech companies mentioned in their earnings calls with analysts that they expect some impact to their future financial results because of the changes Apple Inc. AAPL, +2.58% will be making to privacy settings in the next version of its mobile operating system, iOS 14. Last week, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook spoke at a data-privacy conference, and said the changes to the so-called Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) will be available in the next beta software release. That will give users the option of not sharing their data or having it tracked, which will make it more difficult for software developers to track users across their apps. Facebook Inc. , FB,  » Read More