Apple puts site online where data can be downloaded from account

Apple has put a site online where users can download data from all Apple services. Users can also deactivate or delete their account on it. Apple has put the site online because of the European GDPR regulation.

The site can be found via privacy.apple.com and after logging in there is an option to download all data linked to the account. These include iCloud data such as contacts, improvements to maps users have forwarded, synced notes, repair requests, and more. By default, elements such as photos are unchecked to keep the file size within limits.

After submitting the request, it is not immediately possible to download the data. Apple promises to email when the download is ready. According to the manufacturer, this can take up to seven days. It is unclear whether it will indeed take that long.

Apple must make the data downloadable because of the AVG, the European privacy directive that comes into effect on Friday. Under that directive, European citizens have the right to request all data that companies have about them. Other online services such as Facebook and Google have had this service online for some time. The site only works for European users, writes 9to5 Mac.