Google to stop using Apple tool to track iPhone users, avoiding new pop-up warning

FILE PHOTO: A 3D printed Google logo is placed on the Apple Macbook in this illustration taken April 12, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

(Reuters) - Google's iPhone apps such as Maps and YouTube will stop using a tool from Apple Inc that allows them to personalize ads, avoiding a new Apple warning that informs users their browsing is being tracked.

The announcement in a Wednesday blog post by the Alphabet Inc unit comes shortly before Apple is expected to start enforcing new tracking transparency rules.

Apple for years has supplied apps with a unique identifier, known as IDFA, to help them link the same user across multiple programs. The code can be essential in determining to whom to show an ad and tracking whether it prompted them to make a purchase.

But Apple has said that early this year it will require that apps show users a one-time pop-up message to gain their consent to access their IDFA.

Facebook Inc and other app makers are concerned the warning may discourage users from opting in and cripple ad sales.

As users of Google's apps are typically logged in, it has a tracking alternative to IDFA and as such its core ad business would likely not be affected by Apple's changes.

But it warned in its blog post that publishers and advertisers that rely on its mobile ad software will experience weaker results without IDFA access.

Google said it is developing alternatives for clients but these may not be ready immediately.

Google added that clients can use its software regardless of whether they show the pop-up and obtain the necessary consent, and it is not making any recommendations on what they should do.

Apple said apps not using IDFA still are required to seek user permission if they show and measure ads based on data acquired from other companies.

To comply, Google said its iPhone apps will stop using data from so-called third parties to personalize ads.

Facebook said last month that it plans to display the pop-up to seek users' consent.

"Apple has made it clear that if we don't use Apple's prompt that they will block Facebook from the App Store, which would only further harm the people and businesses that rely on our services every month," it said.

(Reporting by Paresh Dave in Oakland, Calif.; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall and David Gregorio)