# macOS privacy rating

Apple's proprietary desktop operating system for Mac computers, built on the open source Darwin core.

## 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.

- Website: https://www.apple.com/os/macos/
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Platforms: macOS
- Home page trackers: none found
- Category: [Desktop operating systems](https://privacyratings.com/desktop-operating-systems/)
- Also rated: [iCloud Mail](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/icloud-mail/) (Email providers), [Hide My Email](https://privacyratings.com/email-forwarding/hide-my-email/) (Email forwarding and aliases), [Apple Mail](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/apple-mail/) (Email clients), [Safari](https://privacyratings.com/browsers/safari/) (Browsers), [Apple App Store](https://privacyratings.com/app-stores/apple-app-store/) (App stores), [Apple Passwords](https://privacyratings.com/password-managers/apple-passwords/) (Password managers), [FileVault](https://privacyratings.com/file-encryption/filevault/) (File encryption), [iMessage](https://privacyratings.com/messengers/imessage/) (Messengers), [FaceTime](https://privacyratings.com/video-calls/facetime/) (Video calls), [iOS](https://privacyratings.com/mobile-operating-systems/ios/) (Mobile operating systems), [Spotlight](https://privacyratings.com/launchers/spotlight/) (App launchers), [Apple Notes](https://privacyratings.com/notes/apple-notes/) (Notes), [Apple Journal](https://privacyratings.com/journaling/apple-journal/) (Journaling apps), [Apple iWork](https://privacyratings.com/office-suites/apple-iwork/) (Office suites), [QuickTime Player](https://privacyratings.com/screen-recording/quicktime-player/) (Screenshots and screen recording), [Apple Books](https://privacyratings.com/ebook-readers/apple-books/) (Ebook readers), [Apple Dictation](https://privacyratings.com/speech-to-text/apple-dictation/) (Dictation and transcription), [iCloud Drive](https://privacyratings.com/cloud-storage/icloud-drive/) (Encrypted cloud storage), [Apple Maps](https://privacyratings.com/maps/apple-maps/) (Maps and navigation), [SwiftUI](https://privacyratings.com/app-frameworks/swiftui/) (Cross-platform app frameworks), [Apple Home](https://privacyratings.com/smart-home/apple-home/) (Smart home), [Apple Watch](https://privacyratings.com/wearables/apple-watch/) (Wearables and health), [Apple Health Cycle Tracking](https://privacyratings.com/period-trackers/apple-health-cycle-tracking/) (Period trackers), [Apple Music](https://privacyratings.com/music-streaming/apple-music/) (Music streaming), [iCloud Photos](https://privacyratings.com/photo-management/icloud-photos/) (Photo management)
- Grade: F (35/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | No | Closed source. Apple publishes the source of Darwin and some components, but most of macOS is proprietary. | https://opensource.apple.com/ |
| No trackers or telemetry | Partial | 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. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/ |
| No ads or data sales | Partial | 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. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/apple-advertising/ |
| Independent audit | Partial | Common Criteria evaluations by independent labs are published as certification and validation reports, but no full security audit report is public. | https://www.niap-ccevs.org/products/11648 |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/desktop-operating-systems/macos/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/desktop-operating-systems/macos.md