Check your privacy settings again if you have iOS 17 installed on your iPhone because they may have recently changed without your knowledge.
This warning was posted on X (the website formerly known as Twitter) by a duo of iOS engineers and cybersecurity researchers named Mysk. They assert that installing iOS 17 may enable your mobile device's Significant Locations and iPhone Analytics again if you have previously disabled them.
A piece of software called Significant Locations keeps track of the "places you've recently been, as well as how frequently and when you [visit] them." According to 9To5Mac, the information is used to deliver "app recommendations, Memories in the Photos app, among other things". Since the functionality is end-to-end encrypted, Apple cannot access it. Yet, according to Mysk, this information "can [still] be abused as they record detailed information about the [places] you visit frequently."
Check your privacy settings again if you have iOS 17 installed on your iPhone because they may have recently changed without your knowledge.
This warning was posted on X (the website formerly known as Twitter) by a duo of iOS engineers and cybersecurity researchers named Mysk. They assert that installing iOS 17 may enable your mobile device's Significant Locations and iPhone Analytics again if you have previously disabled them.
A piece of software called Significant Locations keeps track of the "places you've recently been, as well as how frequently and when you [visit] them." According to 9To5Mac, the information is used to deliver "app recommendations, Memories in the Photos app, among other things". Since the functionality is end-to-end encrypted, Apple cannot access it. Yet, according to Mysk, this information "can [still] be abused as they record detailed information about the [places] you visit frequently."
However, iPhone Analytics does provide Apple with information about your device directly. It offers information on "performance statistics", how you use your iPhone, and how you utilize particular apps, among other things. It is intended to "help Apple improve and develop its products," but as Mysk notes, security professionals advise you to turn it off.
Under investigation
What's causing this problem is unknown. There is some good news, though. The "vast majority" of users, according to 9To5Mac, are unaffected. Nobody will encounter any "unusual activity." Apple also confirmed to the magazine that it is looking into the matter.
Mysk highly encourages iOS 17 users to disable these functionalities by first heading to the Privacy & Security area of the iPhone Settings menu until a patch is released. Go to Location Service next, and then touch System Services to finish. The two can be found there. This seems to be an isolated incident. They won't turn themselves back on again.
Even if it is worrying that some of your privacy protections could be disabled owing to an apparent programming error, at least this problem is simply to be solved. iPhones may be quite safe 98% of the time, but the 1% risk that your information may be captured while you think it isn't is annoying.
We advise stepping up your level of safety. To find out how you can begin enhancing your online security, make sure to look at TechRadar's ranking of the top iPhone VPNs for 2023.