Apple’s iOS 13 comes with a host of new security and privacy features which give you more control ... [+]
Apple’s iOS 13 comes with a host of new security and privacy features which give you more control over your data. Following the launch of iOS 13 in September, apps such as Facebook and Google will have to ask for permissions via a pop-up box when performing functions such as tracking your location.
Apple’s updated operating system also prevents VoIP apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp from tracking you in the background. These new iOS 13 features have led many to hail Apple as the company that cares about your privacy. It raised awareness of what is actually happening in the background on your iPhone and gave people more control over their apps.
However, last week, Apple came under fire from lawmakers when it emerged that the new rules being applied to rivals such as Google and Facebook are not being applied to Apple itself.
Apple iOS 13 security: The Find My app
Apple’s Find My app does not have a pop up box that lets users know when their device will be used for a new offline finding feature. This capability is crowdsourced and capable of tracking your iPhone even when it’s not connected to a network.
The controls for the Find My app are available at the top of your settings. Just open your Apple settings and the app should be listed there. You can then toggle the features such as Find My iPhone to off and choose to disable Finding your devices when they are not connected to a network.
Apple iOS 13 security: Apple Maps
It’s true that most people don’t use Apple Maps as much as Google’s own version, simply because it’s not as good–but Apple Maps doesn’t come with a pop up warning box in iOS 13 like its Silicon Valley rival.
Again in your settings, open up Maps and you can ensure your location is enabled only while using (which should be the default). If you don’t use Apple Maps at all, you may choose to toggle this to Never to ensure maximum security and privacy.
Apple iOS 13: Crucial new Siri feature
Another security and privacy feature now available in iOS 13.2 is a crucial new Siri control which allows you to opt in or out of voice recordings. This happened via a pop up when you upgraded to iOS 13.2, and it came after concerns about Apple’s Siri voice assistant, when it emerged contractors were listening to up to 1,000 calls per day.
If you didn’t really notice the pop up, or have changed your mind, simply go to Privacy > Analytics & Improvements > Improve Siri & Dictation and move the toggle to “off.”
Apple iOS 13: Securing Facebook, Google and more
Perhaps Apple hasn’t been as open as it should be about what its own apps are doing, but iOS 13 is certainly the leading operating system in the privacy stakes. It launched with a wealth of new security features, which you can read about in this article. For example, one major change is a notification when opening up apps such as Facebook asking for Bluetooth permission. A few apps such as the Fitbit smartwatch might need this, but others certainly do not.
Meanwhile, Sign In with Apple should make you safer as you browse online. Talking of which, Apple has also added the ability to use security keys such as the Yubico YubiKey in its soon to launch iOS 13.3.
