New York (AFP)

US computer giant Apple on Monday began adding new notifications that specify what personal data is collected by applications offered on its online stores and how it is used.

The group had promised in June to provide Internet users wishing to download applications on the iPhone, iPad, Macs, watches or its television platform, a clear and understandable summary of how they plan to exploit their data.

The idea is to allow users to better understand what information is collected and what it can be used for so that they can make informed decisions.

The group began on December 8 asking developers wishing to update their app to submit the relevant information.

Apple has concocted three categories.

The first identifies the "data used to track you", that is to say, retrieved when the user browses applications and sites belonging to other companies in order to better target advertisements or to measure them or to share them with specialized companies.

The second includes the "data attached" to the user, via his account or his device.

The third category applies to data not associated with the Internet user.

This initiative will probably evolve as Apple receives feedback from Internet users and developers, the group said on Monday.

It is part of a larger company policy on new data management, which also includes the implementation in early 2021 of a new feature requiring mobile applications to ask users for their permission to track them.

It is this tracking that allows networks and applications to track people's browsing in order to collect data and sell highly personalized advertising spaces to advertisers.

© 2020 AFP