Yesterday Apple has admitted that the settings in millions of iPhones are misguiding users about their use of location data, and promised to fix it when caught red-handed.
Research published by security specialist Brian Krebs reveals Apple’s new iPhone 11 range are seeking information about their location even when users have explicitly changed the phone’s privacy settings to stop this from happening. Something that violates the company’s own privacy policy.
Apple has validated that iOS 13.3 will be released next week. It is anticipated to bring Apple’s promised fix for this problem. Also, the support for FIDO2 security keys and new parental controls for limiting Phone, Message and FaceTime usage based on contact and time.
Initially, Apple dismissed the finding which was an “expected behaviour”. However, today Apple has changed its tone, warned users that the range’s new Ultra wideband chip is behind the background checks.
Apple said, “Ultra-wideband technology is an industry-standard technology and is subject to international regulatory requirements that require it to be turned off in certain locations. iOS uses Location Services to help determine if an iPhone is in these prohibited locations in order to disable ultra-wideband and comply with regulations.”
“The management of ultra-wideband compliance and its use of location data is done entirely on the device and Apple is not collecting user location data.” Apple stated in its support.
