German court rules against Apple's customer data-privacy policies

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BERLIN, May 7 (UPI) -- A German court ruled Apple must change its rules for handling customer data, saying current rules deviate too much from the country's privacy laws.

A Berlin court struck down eight of 15 provisions in Apple's general data-use terms as violating the laws, saying Apple can't ask for "global consent" to use customer data or information on the geographical locations of users, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

"The ruling shows the high importance of data protection for consumers in a digital world," said Gerd Billen, head of the consumer group Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband.

Apple customers were asked for "global consent" to use their data, whereas German law requires users to be given details on the purpose for which acquired data will be used, the group said.

Under the court's ruling and German law Apple also may not ask for permission to use names, addresses and phone numbers of users' contacts, it said.

The court also ruled Apple may not share data with other companies that use such data for advertising.