Apple has issued a warning to its iPhone users to remove a common app immediately, citing privacy concerns.
A video issued by Apple on YouTube, called “Privacy on iPhone: Flock,” warns iPhone users to discontinue using Google Chrome, without naming the company.
The name “Flock” appears to reference FLoC—short for Federated Learning of Cohorts—a type of web tracking technology that grouped users based on online behavior so advertisers could serve personalized ads without following individuals around the internet.
The 1:48-minute video from 2024 parodies an Alfred Hitchcock horror film, suggesting that browser information is not safe from trackers.
In the video, which closely resembles the 1963 film “The Birds,” iPhone users are depicted as being under attack by a swarm of birds in a montage of different scenes.
Google eventually scrapped FLoC in favor of a new ad-targeting method that raised even more privacy concerns.
Apple’s video has regained steam following Google’s announcement on Tuesday that it will no longer phase out third-party cookies on Chrome, despite previous promises to do so.
The decision has sparked renewed criticism, prompting Apple to spotlight Safari as a browser that truly prioritizes user privacy.
Unlike Safari, Chrome enables advertisers and websites to monitor users’ online behavior to deliver targeted ads—a major source of revenue for Google.
Google originally said it would ditch third-party cookies and come up with a more privacy-friendly way to show ads.
But that plan basically flopped, and now the company says it’s sticking with the current setup in Chrome, giving users the option to manage cookie tracking.
Cookies themselves aren’t evil, but they can put your privacy at risk—making it easier for your personal info to get tracked or even leaked.
So if you’re using Chrome on your iPhone, there’s a good chance you’re still being tracked unless you browse in Incognito Mode or regularly clear your cookies.
The debate over whether Safari is better than Chrome is still ongoing.
In an Apple discussion forum, one user commented: “I’ve been juggling between Chrome and Safari for over 10 years now. Although I’d prefer sticking to Safari exclusively, the reality is that I often find myself resorting to Chrome, especially when dealing with websites related to finance, business, and marketing tools or services.
“Some sites even display cautious warnings, signaling that Safari lacks full support.”
