# iOS privacy rating

Apple's closed source operating system for the iPhone, with the App Store as the main app source and integration with iCloud and other Apple services.

## Summary

iOS scores 35 out of 100 (grade F) on the mobile 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/ios/
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Home page trackers: none found
- Category: [Mobile operating systems](https://privacyratings.com/mobile-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), [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 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 only some components, such as the Darwin kernel and WebKit. | https://opensource.apple.com/ |
| No trackers or telemetry | Partial | No third-party trackers in the system; Apple collects first-party analytics, and device analytics sharing can be turned off. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/device-analytics/ |
| No ads or data sales | Partial | Apple shows its own ads in the App Store, News, Stocks, Maps and TV apps; personalized ads can be turned off and Apple states it does not sell personal data. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/apple-advertising/ |
| Independent audit | Partial | iOS holds Common Criteria and FIPS 140-3 certifications from accredited labs, but Apple publishes the certification list rather than a full audit report. | https://support.apple.com/guide/certifications/ios-security-certifications-apc3fa917cb49/web |

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