Private by design, but how?
Apple’s approach to privacy has always been to make privacy the default. This means that tracking features are blocked by default. Apple also ensures a great deal of transparency by requiring developers to disclose exactly what data they have access to.
In addition, a tonne of security features like end-to-end encryption are built into Apple’s default apps, not to mention privacy indicators and the like.
Here are some of the security and privacy features on the iPhone 15 that keep your data safe and private.
Safe browsing
Safari, the default browser in iOS and all Apple devices, uses a feature called Intelligent Tracking Prevention to prevent trackers from logging your actions and following you around the web. Cross-site tracking is off by default, and even advertisers are granted access to a limited amount of demographic data for targeting.
Next, unlike Chrome, Safari’s Private Browsing is completely private. Sites will not have access to your history or any saved information. Known trackers are blocked, links are stripped off tracking data, and content blockers prevent anyone from seeing your data. On top of this, Private tabs are locked behind a password.
Even when browsing in normal mode, the browser will prevent sites and extensions from using widgets and other fingerprinting techniques to follow you around the web. This even extends to search, where only limited data can be shared when a query is sent.
Passkeys are the default
Passkeys are a new way to log into sites. Rather than log into sites with a username and password, both of which are stored on the site and can be stolen, passkeys log you into a site via an encrypted key that’s only stored on your device. You authenticate via FaceID and don’t need to remember a password. You also get more control over where you’re logged in.
Apple devices are fully compatible with Passkeys and will give you the option to log in or generate Passkeys as needed.
Passwords Manager
For sites that you still require passwords for, you’ll find a password manager that not only securely saves passwords, but also monitors the passwords for issues such as whether they’ve been compromised in a data leak or if you’ve reused passwords.
When signing in to a new site, Apple gives you the option of hiding your email with a temporary ID and for generating randomised, secure passwords. If you ‘Sign in with Apple’, you’ll even get the benefit of two-factor authentication.
End-to-end encryption
Just about everything that can be used to track you is encrypted in such a way that not even Apple has access to that information. Communication sent via Messages, your location history on Maps, your browsing data, all of it is encrypted by default. Even RCS messages, a feature that was recently added to the Messages app, is encrypted by default.
The same applies to Mail, Facetime, Call Recording, the Health app, and backups.
Fuzzy maps
When using Maps, your phone will obfuscate data over time to prevent any apps from following your search and location history. Even significant identifiers such as traffic lights and public buildings that can give away your location on the map are obfuscated.
Any ratings or pins or other such data is tied only to your Apple account and is not accessible by Apple or any third party. Lastly, when Maps is accessed by a third-party service such as Uber, data access is severely restricted to the bare essentials required for the app to function.
Secure images
The Photos app analyses your images for facial recognition and classification, but it does so locally, i.e. on your iPhone 15 only. Data processing happens only on your device, and identity data is encrypted and stored only within your Apple account.
Recently Deleted and Hidden items are locked behind FaceID so nobody else can access them, Memories and Sharing suggestions happen locally, iCloud photo backups are fully encrypted, and you have full control over third-party app permissions.
Safer Siri
Siri, Apple’s digital assistant, also enjoys the same security benefits. As far as possible, all requests to Siri are processed on your device. Any data that must go out, say to Google for a search for a query, carries little to no useful tracking data.
Encrypted iCloud
All data stored on iCloud is end-to-end encrypted. Again, this means that neither Apple nor anyone else who isn’t you has access to that data.
If you pay for iCloud, you can also take advantage of iCloud Private Relay, which is a secure VPN that encrypts traffic and prevents your ISP and others from tracking your activities online.
The full list of services that Apple uses to obscure and minimise how and where you’re tracked is much longer and more complex than what we’ve outlined here.
The iPhone 15 series, including the iPhone 15 Pro is one of the most secure consumer-grade smartphone series out there. While data is collected and you still receive targeted advertising from a variety of sources, the granularity with which this happens, not to mention the intrusiveness of the tracking, is much better controlled than on most other platforms.
