3 New Features in iOS 15 and What they Mean for Securing Online Privacy for Apple Users

Online privacy can be defined as the level of privacy protection and individuality as soon as we connect to the internet. This can be through a laptop, personal computer, and any handheld device including smartphones. The amount of online security available for personal and business news can be different and there are many levels for which this needs to be taken care of.

Usually, businesses are better off when they are looking to safeguard their interests. Almost all companies make this mandatory to make their service and the security of their visitors a priority. That is why most websites that we visit are safe for browsing and everyone using them knows that they will not be harmed. While there are individual cases when famous websites get hacked, this is certainly not the norm. Many websites are vulnerable but with adept security features like firewalls, businesses can ensure excellent security for their portals.

When it comes to connecting to websites through handheld devices, the role of the operating system and the security features it offers is critical. The battle between iOS and Android has always come to this point and generally, it is a perception that iOS is better equipped in this concern. So, is this true and does the latest version of iOS provide better privacy for its users than Android? Or from the previous versions?

Read on as I discuss four important aspects in this regard.

1. Hide the IP Address

iOS 15 offers many new and improved features so that it can stop websites from tracking your real IP address. Most of the users don’t think that is a critical aspect but there are reasons to be worried if you browse through several new websites.

Let me describe this aspect so that you can understand my viewpoint easily.

Every device has a unique IP address and the iPhone is no different. Sites and companies can easily identify and use it to track the profile of your online activity. This allows them to use your IP so that they can track your every movement and offer you ads and other offers based on it. Now iOS 15 allows you to hide your IP from the crackers, and it is a very easy thing to do. You simply have to go to the Settings>Safari>hide the IP address.

2. Share the Current Location

This feature allows users to grant access to the apps about their current location. But this is used to be just for one time, but apps can get access multiple times. Although apps have to ask for the current location of time, sometimes apps like Uber need to know your location multiple times a day. So what can you do here? In iOS 15, you can decide to allow an app to use your current location for just one time and it will ask for every other time. But there is a catch, so read on for some vital info.

It is the job of the mobile app development companies and their resources to incorporate this feature in the apps. So, there is no automatic feature taking a cue from the previous example, once you are done with your ride the app will end the session and even the Uber app will have to ask for your permission the next time to know your current location.

3. App Privacy Report

Apart from the location, there are several other vital aspects that we need to take care of. Mobile apps can use many software and hardware features of smartphones or any handheld device and most of us are unaware of this activity. For example, when you are installing apps like WhatsApp or giving access to your smartphone to record the screen, they demand access. Most of the time, it is access to your camera, SD card, and all the files that you have stored on your phone. So, virtually you give access to any app to use your device just like you use.

The above-mentioned permission is like giving your phone in the hands of another person. That is why there must be some mechanism so that you can see which app is accessing what options on your phone. In iOS 15, you can simply enable this feature through settings>privacy>app privacy report.

What Used to be the Norm in the Past?

In the past decade or so, things have changed for the better. The three options mentioned above are a testament to this fact, as there are many options available for the end-users so that now they can enjoy an app without thinking about privacy. But not everything is perfect as there are still some apps that use unfair means to steal data and sensitive information of their users.

The use of cookies that are used is one way to get information about the user and much of his browsing history. But apps have to take the user’s consent before doing this. The last update related to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe has made it compulsory for websites to state this, otherwise, they cannot put a cookie on the visitors’ device.

Privacy Setting that Can Work for Individual Users

All the settings are for the benefit of the individual users because the privacy settings for businesses differ greatly from that of individual users. That is why the current settings now being offered in iOS 15 will be a game-changer for most of the users, as now they will be in a better position to safeguard their important data and any information they have on their device, or cloud storage.

Over to you

Are you satisfied with all the aspects mentioned in this blog? And do you think it will benefit the user of Apple devices in the long run? Or do you have other app ideas in mind that can make iOS even better in the future? Your honest opinion counts a lot, so speak up. And if you think that you can add something valuable to this blog or want to ask a question, you are more than welcome.

For any feedback too, please use the comments section below.