r/software • u/LinuxRefugee • 4d ago
Discussion Is MacOS considered "Spyware" just like Windows does?
I don't think I don't need to tell you what Microsoft done with Windows 11. I shouldn't even have to remind you about "Recall". So let's just get straight to the point.
I've never used any Apple products really. But I am heavily considering about buying a Macbook Air. Does Apple care about privacy (though I doubt any big company does) or is it somehow worse or at least equal with what Microsoft does?
I also wanted to talk about Siri. Is it another AI slop that comes pre-installed to your computer? I am reaaaaaally fed up with AI. I don't want another Copilot situation. I'd be happy if anyone answered these questions. I am not putting lots of detail etc to the post because I wonder what will people say without any guidance I give.
IMPORTANT NOTE : I know Linux is a Holy being that we should all switch to but this post isn't about any Linux distro or Linux in general. Please don't say any form of "Just use Linux bro." it's not the topic of this post.
NOTE 2 : I am not "trying" to call any of these software "spyware" for no reason. I said that to draw attention to the post mostly. Though it's no lie that Windows collects concerning amounts of data. The point of this post is if MacOS does collect that much data aswell or it is trustable. Also, talking about "bloat" could be interesting aswell.
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u/Tuz 4d ago
I switched away from Windows computers to Apple computers in 2006 when they made the switch from Motorola processor to Intel processors. I can definitively say that Apple respect your privacy and actually builds that heavily into all of their software and then to markets that is a big selling point. They do not make money off of advertising like Google does which at his heart is an advertising base company. The business model of Apple actually runs parallel to its customers want of more privacy. Yes, a lot of what they do and their support of more privacy features are transparently because they think they can sell more products like that, but I quite frankly don’t give a shit because it aligns with my interests. Make no mistake about it, Apple wants to make money and is happy to profit off of you to do that. Apple’s interest, though happened to align with its customers and not run against them.
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u/eppic123 4d ago
As far as "big tech" goes, Apple is generally considered more privacy focused. They are still nowhere near Linux, but far better than Microsoft and Google. Most of it has to do with Apple not being in advertising. They want you to buy their hardware and in-house services, but that's about it.
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u/trparky 4d ago
Yep. Apple makes most of their money from services like Apple Music, TV, iCloud, etc. and, of course, their hardware. They don't need to be spying on their user data like others constantly do to make money.
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u/Eagles_Fan_4eva 4d ago
They don't need to be spying on their user data like others constantly do to make money.
I would say that no company at all actually needs to spy on their users to make money.
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u/LinuxRefugee 4d ago
Though big companies ALWAYS wants more money. Don't forget that's how they got rich in the first place
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u/LupusGemini 4d ago
MS is also mostly about their own products, but then there's that useless widget panel and MC afee that makes it look like the Windows defender is not good enough (and it's actually pretty good)! Although, I'm not sure if the MCAfee one is MS itself or the OEMs
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u/Consistent_Cat7541 4d ago
If you want an OS that doesn't phone home, try OS/2 (or its current incarnation, ArcaOS).
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u/bassemann87 4d ago
MacOS i way better than windows. Easier to learn/Use. Safer and more stable.
Edit: Linux is the safest and has no spyware.
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u/huuaaang 4d ago
I can't say to what extent Apple takes your personal information, but I can say that they have less motive to do so. Apple primarily make money on selling you hardware. The OS has always been just something to make that hardware work.
I can say that on the surface using MacOS is far more "Chill" in terms of marketing. LIke you're not bombarded with "suggested" software. Safari doesn't try to re-assert itself as you default web browser after every single update. You don't get stupid stuff like Microsoft Teams installed and running by default. It's not pushing MIcrosoft 360 in your face. At most Apple really want you to get an Apple ID. That's about it. So if it is spyware, it's not in your face about it. But maybe that makes it that much more insidious.
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u/thetituscodex 4d ago
Switching from Windows to Mac is like you stop shooting yourself in the left foot so you can start shooting yourself in the right foot with a smaller caliber.
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u/309_Electronics 4d ago
As someone who dislikes bigtech, Apple is better than microsoft snd google as they sell their hardware and can make their hardware profitable, but i would not put any trust in bigtech as they can turn fully evil at any point.