{
  "slug": "macos",
  "category": "desktop-operating-systems",
  "name": "macOS",
  "description": "Apple's proprietary desktop operating system for Mac computers, built on the open source Darwin core.",
  "website": "https://www.apple.com/os/macos/",
  "license": null,
  "platforms": [
    "macos"
  ],
  "jurisdiction": {
    "code": "US",
    "name": "United States",
    "eyes": "Five Eyes",
    "eu": false,
    "gdpr": false,
    "cloud_act": "provider"
  },
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "F",
  "score": 35,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "macOS scores 35 out of 100 (grade F) on the desktop operating systems criteria. It partly meets no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and independent audit. It does not meet open source. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/desktop-operating-systems/macos/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/desktop-operating-systems/macos/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": "https://opensource.apple.com/",
      "note": "Closed source. Apple publishes the source of Darwin and some components, but most of macOS is proprietary."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/",
      "note": "No third-party trackers in the app, and sharing device analytics with Apple is opt-in. Apple web pages load Apple's own analytics (ac-analytics, sent to metrics.apple.com) by default."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/apple-advertising/",
      "note": "Funded by hardware sales. Apple's ad platform shows ads in the App Store, News and Stocks apps; personalized ads can be turned off and Apple does not sell personal data."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://www.niap-ccevs.org/products/11648",
      "note": "Common Criteria evaluations by independent labs are published as certification and validation reports, but no full security audit report is public."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T06:38:34.494Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T06:56:31Z"
}