Apple launches feature giving US customers access to their data

Apple is now allowing customers to download copies of all of the data it holds on them as part of its initiative to contrast its data collection practices with other tech giants that have been under scrutiny in recent months.

The iPhone maker launched the new feature for U.S. users on Wednesday, following an earlier rollout in Europe as the European Union implemented sweeping new data laws known as the General Data Protection Regulation.

The new privacy portal lets users access a copy of their data and to request corrections if they believe it contains mistakes.{mosads}

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been repeatedly taking shots at companies like Facebook, whose privacy practices have been under the microscope, and emphasizing that his company minimizes the amount of data it collects.

When asked in an interview with Recode earlier this year how he would have responded to the Cambridge Analytica scandal that was engulfing Facebook at the time, Cook responded, “I wouldn’t be in this situation.”

Apple also recently rolled out requirements that all of the apps in its app store need to have privacy policies in place.