# Apple Books privacy rating

Apple's e-book and audiobook store and reading app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Purchases and reading progress sync through the user's Apple Account.

## Summary

Apple Books scores 25 out of 100 (grade F) on the ebook readers criteria. It partly meets no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales. It does not meet open source and independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.

- Website: https://www.apple.com/apple-books/
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Platforms: macOS, iOS
- Home page trackers: none found
- Category: [Ebook readers](https://privacyratings.com/ebook-readers/)
- 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), [macOS](https://privacyratings.com/desktop-operating-systems/macos/) (Desktop 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 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 (25/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | No | Closed source. |  |
| No trackers or telemetry | Partial | No third-party trackers, but Apple collects reading and usage data by default under random identifiers not linked to the Apple Account. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/apple-books/ |
| No ads or data sales | Partial | The app shows no ads, but store purchases and downloads can be used for Apple's ads in the App Store, Apple News and Stocks if personalized ads are on. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/apple-books/ |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/ebook-readers/apple-books/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/ebook-readers/apple-books.md