I'm curious why Apple allows this also, but making this an excuse to render a blame and bash Apple article is misguided.
I say misguided because there are many ways that your personal information, behaviours, interests and usage history can be fettered away from you all outside of Apple's control, this is a privacy and transparency issue.
Not only should there be some level of respect for the information you possess (especially information you possess on others), but many countries already have legislation that address these privacy concerns specifically.
This means that there are real legal consequences to this address book saga, but contrary to the article's spin this is again not directed at Apple.
In short: Apple can do more to protect users, but shovelling them with the full blame over apps that are deliberately designed to gather and produce results from your contact information to provide is misguided.
The people who built your house also "allow" thieves to break in your house rather trivially. Would you hold them responsible in the event of a robbery?
I say misguided because there are many ways that your personal information, behaviours, interests and usage history can be fettered away from you all outside of Apple's control, this is a privacy and transparency issue.
Not only should there be some level of respect for the information you possess (especially information you possess on others), but many countries already have legislation that address these privacy concerns specifically.
This means that there are real legal consequences to this address book saga, but contrary to the article's spin this is again not directed at Apple.
In short: Apple can do more to protect users, but shovelling them with the full blame over apps that are deliberately designed to gather and produce results from your contact information to provide is misguided.