iOS 13 is Launching This Month with 6 New Security Features

iOS 13, the next OS version is all set to enter the Apple market.

The successor of iOS 12, as revealed by the Apple team, is likely to hit our devices anytime after September 10.

It is expected to bring out the best of innovations, accessibility, and productivity in the iOS market with its 23 features. But the one feature set that is making users and developers excited about iOS 13 is its focus on privacy and security.

Apple, which has always cared about privacy and proven to be ahead of its competitors, Google and Facebook, has come up with various new privacy and security features to deliver an enhanced user experience.

A few of the iOS 13 top features that are focusing on the privacy and security are:-

1. Restriction on VoIP apps running in the background

The foremost change that iOS 13 is coming up with is that VoIP apps will not be able to run in the background, when not actively used.

These apps have been capturing every user interaction on the device besides the data they are permitted to, while remaining inactive in the background. And eventually misusing the data for their purpose.

But now, with Apple minimizing their access, users will be able to get a secure experience in these VoIP apps.

2. Notification of applications using location data secretly

With so many apps demanding permission to track location, it has become tough for users to get a clear idea of which all applications are having access to their location data and for what time period.

The upcoming iOS 13, in this scenario, is making the process seamless and handy for the users. It is coming up with a feature that reminds users of which all iOS applications accessed their location data and for what duration.

This security feature will eventually enable users to have a clear idea of when and which apps are accessing their real-time location data and thus, restrict it immediately.

3. Location Accessibility Limited to One Interaction

For situations when it is tough to decide whether to give access to your location to an application or not, iOS 13 has come up with a new option. The upcoming Apple OS version is introducing an option ‘Access Location for Once’, which will enable users to reap the benefits of facilities offered by apps on tracking location, while ensuring that the permission is one-time only. Third party applications won’t be able to gather their location data next time, without asking for permission again.

4. A control over Bluetooth and WiFi tracking

In addition to the fitness wearables and third-party apps that you provide an access to read bluetooth/WiFi data, there are various beacons and app makers that identifies and captures your device’s unique bluetooth identifier. They track your location and activities to come up with a marketing offer accordingly.

To get users an escape from these beacons and associated data misuse incidents, Apple is blocking bluetooth connections. The tech giant is making it imperative for these beacons and apps to ask for permission from users first.

5. Strip Location Data from Photos

Whenever a photo is taken on iPhone, the exact location and time is recorded as metadata in the photo file. Now, when you share or upload these photos, others get access to sensitive location location, like your home or office.

To ensure that this data does not bring adverse impact on your privacy and life, Apple has introduced the idea of striping data from the photo. Meaning, you can upload/share photos after removing location and time data from the metadata.

This, though seems a small addition, will bring a major impact in terms of Android vs iOS: What platform is more secure.

6. No Snooping into Contact Notes

Earlier, apps that had permission to access your contacts were able to look into the personal notes attached to all contacts. These notes, which generally included phone banking PIN code or home alarm code, were then often misused by these third party apps.

But now, they won’t be able to access this section. Meaning, they will be able to get the contact details, but not the attached notes . Something, that will lower down the risk of exploitation of sensitive user data, while leveraging facilities that require giving permission to contact access.

With all these features, Apple is hoping to undo the effect of the security issues raised by users last month. This included a rise in iPhone security warning and revelation of Siri requests being heard by external contractors.And eventually, rise in the market as a brand that offers a secure experience to the target user base.

THE AUTHOR

Bhupinder Kour

Content Writer