References to a “Podcasts” app are found in the first beta version of macOS High Sierra 10.13.4

As we mentioned, Apple's new operating systems include a new privacy alert icon.

Because doing its traditional investigation in the beta versions released by Apple, the Brazilian developer Guilherme Rambo noticed that, in these privacy related notices, there’s one focused on an app called “Podcasts” on macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 today, the app only exists on iOS and tvOS; on macOS, podcasts (still?) are within iTunes.

In-App Privacy Alert

According to the image in the alert above, the user's playback of the podcast is linked to a random device identifier that is synchronized through iCloud so that it cannot be linked to other Apple services. That is, Apple collects data about users' listening habits to share with podcast editors, but there is no way to know that you are.

Obviously, the part that matters most in this privacy alert is: “Your use of the Podcast app is tied to your Apple ID.” Could it be a company mistake? It can, but taking into account that iTunes is really losing power (it is no longer possible to manage iOS apps for it, for example) and the attention that Apple has been giving podcasts in general, I do not doubt anything that we will see a new independent app coming to macOS!

via 9to5Mac