Apple has announced its latest privacy and security innovations, including major innovations in Safari Private Browsing, Communications Security and Isolation Mode, along with other app enhancements. In addition, Apple has introduced new features designed with privacy and security in mind, such as Check In, NameDrop and Live Voicemail.
These new efforts are the latest manifestation of Apple’s deeply held belief that is a fundamental human right and that good is based on strong security. “Privacy is built into every new Apple product and feature from the start,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “We are focused on keeping our users behind the wheel when it comes to their data by continuing to provide leading features and the world’s best data security. This approach is reflected in several features on our platforms, such as major updates to Safari Private Browsing, as well as the expansion of Isolation Mode.”
Privacy features that give users greater control over their data
Important updates to Safari Private Browsing
Safari introduced private browsing years before any other browser. This year, a major update provides even greater protection against trackers as users browse the web and against people who may have access to their device. Advanced tracking and fingerprinting protections go even further to help prevent websites from using the latest techniques to track or identify the user’s device. Private Browsing is now locked when not in use, allowing the user to keep tabs open even when away from the device.
Improvements to the Photos privacy permission
The new built-in Photos selector lets users share specific images with apps and keep the rest of the library out of reach. When an app asks for permission to access the entire photo library, the user can see more information about what they’re going to share and reminders of their choices.
Link tracking protection in Messages, Mail, and Private Browsing in Safari
Some websites add additional information to their URLs to track users on other websites. This information will now be removed from links that users share in Messages and Mail, and the links will continue to work as expected. This information will also be removed from links in Safari Private Browsing.
Features designed to help protect user security
Communications Security and privacy
Communication Safety, designed to warn children when they receive or send photos in Messages containing nudity, now covers video content in addition to still images. A new API allows developers to integrate Communication Security directly into their applications. In addition, the feature will now help keep kids safe when sending and receiving an AirDrop, a FaceTime video message, and when using the Phone app to receive a Contact Poster and the Photo selector to choose the content to send. All image and video processing for Communication Security is done on the device, which means that neither Apple nor any third party has access to the content. These warnings will be enabled for child accounts in their Family Sharing plan and can be turned off by the parent.
