How to use Apple’s game-changing new iPhone privacy feature

Apple’s iOS 14.3 was released, including a new game-changing privacy feature. Here’s how to use it.

This week Apple released iOS 14.3, bringing with it a ton of cool new features for the iPhone. Perhaps the most revolutionary of all is the new privacy “nutrition labels,” which detail the data that an application collects about you on Apple’s App Store page.

Among the benefits, privacy labels in iOS 14.3 allow you to view the information an app collects about you, such as your location or phone number, even before downloading it. That means you can evaluate whether the app is worth it before deciding to install it on your iPhone.

Apple made the app’s privacy labels a requirement as of December 8, and they appear on the page as of iOS 14.3. So how do you use them, and what privacy red flags should you be aware of?

How to use the new iOS 14.3 privacy labels

It’s easy to find iPhone privacy labels – once you’ve updated to iOS 14.3, go to the Apple App Store and click on the app you’re considering downloading or purchasing. Then scroll down the app page to App Privacy, and there you will find the detailed privacy label.

The first section, “Data used to track you”, shows the data that could be used to track you on your iPhone for advertising purposes, for example, your contact information.

The next section “Data linked to you” is the information that the application can collect and link to your identity, for example, your location or contact information. The main page shows this in general, and if you click on it, you can see more details (for example, the location can be “precise location” and / or “approximate location”).

The next section is data that is not tied to you, in many cases usage or diagnostic data.

The data collected by the apps may vary depending on the permissions you grant, or your age and other factors related to data protection regulation, such as the EU GDPR.

Some apps collect much more data than others

Now some apps collect much more data than others. I started with the Apple TV app as it is one that I use at home. Linked information includes purchases and contact information and device ID.

I also checked the Facebook app, which I deleted on my iPhone some time ago and occasionally use in a browser. Now, unsurprisingly, Facebook’s list is considerable, as you can see in the screenshot below under the “Data used to track you” section.

The “Data Linked to You” section is also a long scrolling list that includes your search history and your browsing history.

I asked Facebook for a comment and will update this article if the company responds

IOS 14.3 Privacy Labels – How to Choose Which Apps You Download

There’s no question that the new iOS 14.3 privacy labels are helpful, but how do you decide which apps are safe? It all comes down to who you trust, and in some cases the data an app collects can cause alarms. For example, why does a certain application need to access your location? If it’s because of the weather, you need to know where you are, but not so much for a TV app.

Also note that you can adjust your permissions for apps in your iPhone’s privacy settings, so downloading an app doesn’t mean that it’s automatically allowing you to have all the data you request. You can also disable the apps ability to track you using my guide.

“These easy-to-use, readable labels are a huge step forward for privacy and will make it easier for users to decide whether free apps and services are really worth trading with their own personal data,” says Jake Moore, ESET Cybersecurity Specialist .

A word of caution

But at the same time, don’t just rely on privacy labels when downloading an iPhone app. They are simply a guide.

“It is important for users to know that the privacy of the application is self-reported by the company that makes the application, and is not vetted by Apple,” warns Johnny Lin, former Apple engineer and creator of Lockdown Privacy, an application that blocks privacy trackers.

“Just because an app’s privacy looks good doesn’t mean you should immediately feel safe giving it all your personal data. The goal of App Privacy is to increase public awareness of privacy and monitoring, not to give people the green light to use an app. “

In general, Moore advises you to think carefully before downloading any iPhone app. “If an app, free or paid, that you can use just once or twice, wants to know your name, location, phone number, and have access to your photos and other sensitive data, then I would seriously consider whether the compensation is worth it. . Do you really need that app? “

I agree. With iOS 14, Apple has given all iPhone users much more control over their data, adding transparency on how the information is used. Privacy labels, combined with other iOS 14 privacy settings, are certainly a powerful tool.