European Union privacy regulations (GDPR) have forced all major tech companies to review their privacy and data collection policies. One of them is Apple. The company recently announced a new way for users to download their data locally. Not only that, if you want to leave the Apple ecosystem forever, Apple will also let you erase all your data before closing your account.
With celebrity hacks on the rise and tech giants using and misusing user data to their advantage, users have little or no choice. You really can’t live without these services and a world without them seems to be gone.
See how Apple responds to the EU request and how you can download and delete your data from Apple’s servers.
1. Be selective
Apple has millions of users around the world. That’s why Apple may have hidden the options so you can’t download your data right away. You must ask for it. More on that later.
The first thing you have to do is visit the new Privacy website by clicking on the link below. Once you’re there, sign in with your Apple ID. Forgot password? Nothing.
Once in, several options will greet you immediately. You can request to download a copy of your data. In addition, you can update (edit) your data if you believe there is some error such as your address or credit card details, deactivate your account in case you need it for a long time. and even delete your account if you want to leave the Apple ecosystem forever.
I’m glad to see how easy Apple has made it for everyone to do that. We will focus on the first option. Under Get a copy of your data, click Request a copy of your data.
Now, as an Apple MacBook or iPhone/iPad user, Apple has collected a lot of data about you over the years in various file formats like PDF, JSON, CSV, etc. Apple will share a list books with you.
Most of those files are from apps you are using like browser, notes, game center, maps (location data), contacts etc. Some surprises like AppleCare and history support, Retail Store operations, and Apple Pay. In the next screen, you can choose which data you want to download. You can choose any or all.
I recommend simply clicking the Select All button if you plan to delete or deactivate your Apple account. Even if that’s not the case, it’s a good idea to have a copy of your data on a secured local hard drive.
Some items in the list have a More link next to them. Clicking on them will reveal additional information about the type of data that will be downloaded with it. You can select individual items from the list.
At the bottom, there is another list with only three items. If you’re using an Apple device, chances are you’re using iCloud for photos, emails, and documents. If that’s the case, you’ll have to choose any or all here. You must be wondering why they are listed separately. Well, Apple notes that these files can be very large and can take time to download.
Once you’ve selected the type of data you want to download, click Continue.
2. Select Size
In the next screen, Apple will ask you to choose ‘maximum file size’. That’s confusing for most users so I’ll break it down for you. If you choose 1GB here and your total data size is 4GB, then Apple will split and create 4 downloadable files, 1GB each.
Why? Because Apple understands that not everyone has access to a high-speed Internet connection, and downloading large files can be difficult. Having to restart the download just before it’s about to finish is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. So you have five options from 1GB to 25GB. Choose an option based on the amount of iCloud storage you’re using.
When finished, click Complete Request. There are 16 apps and services in total, just in case you were wondering.
3. Download data
Now Apple will ask you to wait for an email it will send to your registered email ID. This process can take up to seven days to complete. That is done ensuring that you actually initiated the request. There is a handy link to track the status of the request.
This is how the request looks like. It will tell you the exact date and time the request was placed and the data types you selected.
Now we wait for the notification email — your data files are ready to download. For security reasons, you will not receive files via email. Instead, you get a download link that takes you back to the Apple Privacy website. On request, files will be available for download based on the requested data type and file size.
Each item will have a separate file that you can download within 30 days of your request, not the date your download is ready and mailed to you.
Assured
Downloading your data from the servers of any tech giant, be it Apple or Instagram, gives you a sense of control over your data, if nothing else. You own it (or a digital copy of it) now. In the event of a hack or security failure, you can use it to restore the aforementioned data to your Apple account.
Next up: Want to back up your Mac data too? Click the link below to learn how to do it now.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
