Apple Podcasts & Privacy

Apple Podcasts is designed to protect your information and enable you to choose what you share.

• The podcasts you purchase in Apple Podcasts Subscriptions are associated with your Apple ID.
• Your podcast listening data is linked to a random device identifier that is not associated with your Apple ID.
• We collect your podcast listening data in order to understand, and report to podcast providers in an aggregate manner about, podcast listening activity.
• We also collect data about your use of Apple Podcasts, for example, taps.
• To help identify and prevent fraud, information about how you use your device, including the approximate number of phone calls or emails you send and receive, will be used to compute a device trust score when you attempt a purchase. The submissions are designed so Apple cannot learn the real values on your device. The scores are stored for a fixed time on our servers.

Protecting the privacy and security of your information is a priority for everyone at Apple. We work hard to collect only the data we need to make your experience better, and when we do collect data, we believe it’s important for you to know what we’re collecting and why we need it, so you can make informed choices. Apple Podcasts, like every Apple product and service, is designed with these principles in mind.

Apple collects information about your use of Apple Podcasts to manage the shows you follow, to help improve the service, and to deliver aggregated reporting to podcast providers.

As a convenience to you, Apple Podcasts syncs the shows you follow, and the play position of the podcast episodes you are listening to so that you can enjoy the same Apple Podcasts experience from any of your devices. This information is stored in association with your Apple ID. You can disable this capability in Settings.

We also collect data on podcast listening and interactions in order to understand, and provide reports about, podcast listenership. This data includes information about the podcasts you listen to, such as how much of a podcast you listen to, when you listen, and when you stream, download, or follow. Also, to help improve and personalize the service, we collect information about your interactions with Apple Podcasts, such as links you tap on. We designed Apple Podcasts so that this data is not linked to other Apple services. This information is associated with a random unique identifier that is specific to Apple Podcasts and not associated with your Apple ID. We use iCloud to sync the identifier across your devices that are signed in to iCloud. To reset the identifier included in playback data sent to Apple on iOS and iPadOS, go to Settings > Podcasts > Reset Identifier. This will also reset the identifier for any paired watchOS devices.

Siri suggests podcasts you may like based on on-device information derived from the apps you use and the websites you visit with Safari. Also, when you use search in Apple Podcasts, information, including recently used apps and popular apps installed on your device, is sent to Apple with your search query to provide you with relevant search results. This information is not associated with your Apple ID.

We share data with podcast providers only in aggregate form. We do not share any of your individual data with third parties. Keep in mind, however, that when you play or download podcast episodes from some podcast providers or use Siri to listen to an audio brief, those providers may be able to collect information about your use of their podcasts, and that collection is governed by their privacy policies and practices.

Apple may use information about your account, such as the Apple products you own and your subscriptions to Apple services, to send you communications about Apple Podcasts and other Apple products, services, and offers that may be of interest to you. Apple may also use information about your purchase activity within Apple Podcasts to send you emails and push notifications about new features, content, and offers available on Apple Podcasts. You can change your email preferences and opt out of receiving these emails by going to appleid.apple.com. To update your notification preferences on iOS and iPadOS, go to Settings > Notifications > Podcasts.

Other apps and devices that offer Apple Podcasts integrations may request access to Apple Podcasts and your Podcasts Library. If you give such permission to an app or device integration, it can access information like your library, your podcast play activity, and your recommendations. A permitted app or device can also modify data associated with your account, such as which podcasts are in your library. You can disable an iOS or iPadOS app’s access on your iOS or iPadOS device by going to Settings > Privacy > Media & Apple Music. You can disable access by other apps or devices in your Apple Music account settings.

Apple may use information about your use of Apple Podcasts to prevent or take action against activities that are, or may be, in breach of the iOS or iPadOS Software License Agreement or applicable law.

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions

If you purchase podcasts from Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, we will use personal information that is necessary to process your purchase transactions, such as your account and payment information, which you can access and change in Settings, and your purchase history.

We will also compute a device trust score on your device when you attempt a purchase using information about how you use your device, including the approximate number of phone calls or emails you send and receive. The submission is designed so Apple cannot learn the underlying values on your device. The score is stored for a fixed time on our servers.

We retain personal information associated with your purchases in Apple Podcasts Subscriptions for the periods specified by applicable laws relating to financial reporting, which vary by region. For most customers, that requires at least a ten-year retention period. We also retain a record of your purchases for at least as long as you have an account with us to allow you to access that content, again in line with our applicable terms. Some information, such as transactions but not your stored card details, may be retained as business records even after you close your account or stop using Apple Podcasts.

At all times, information collected by Apple will be treated in accordance with Apple’s Privacy Policy, which can be found at www.apple.com/privacy.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: July 26, 2021

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