Apple will be releasing its new iOS 14.5 software update for all their devices that are still releasing updates. In the new software update, apple have included privacy changes that will require apps to ask for user permission, before they tracked data and activity. This is a change from iOS 14.3 software version, where a user’s device will allow them to see what data an app collects, before the app is downloaded onto the device.
The new iOS 14.5 update will mean that all app developers will have to specify what tracking information is being collected from user’s devices and where that information is being used that has just been collected.
If app developers want to gather any information from any user’s devices, they will need to now get permission before doing so.
The benefits this will bring will be more for the users, in terms of understanding which apps are collecting data and what the data will be used for. Now the control is with the user, if they want to allow access or not.
Software update benefits
- Not all users will be aware of what they are giving access to with the new changes, but now can have more control over their data sharing
- So, users don’t need to worry about apps having access to more data than they should
- (An average app has 6 trackers and the data collected about a user can be collected and sold online, without the user having no knowledge of this)
- With the new iOS 14.5 software, users will be able to control tracking from one easy and central place in the phone settings
- Any apps a user may have accidently or unknowingly allowed access to track activity, can be altered in the device’s settings too
- Puts a stop to bad data collection practices with the new update, if the app still continues to track users even after a user has opted against this, the app is at risk of being removed from the app stor