11 Best Privacy Features in iOS 14

One of the key selling points for the iPhone series has been privacy and security. Apple knows this. So much so that the company puts up huge billboards that promise user privacy and spend millions of dollars on iPhone ads that show the device’s privacy features. With the iOS 14 update, Apple takes a stance to protect user data and integrate welcome plugins across millions of devices.

Apple has consistently added privacy features with every iOS update, but this year the iOS 14 update is worth downloading just for the privacy protection. These include Privacy Reports in Safari, log indicators, the option to share approximate location with apps instead of exact locations, and more.

In short, iOS 14 should make you and your data safer than ever before. But it’s important to know where these various features are and how to use them. We’ve compiled a list of the best privacy features in the iOS 14 update. Lets start.

1. Allow Access to Selected Photos

This is my favorite privacy feature in iOS 14. Instead of giving an app access to your entire photo library or nothing, you can now select specific photos and videos the app can access.

For example, if you downloaded an app to create a Collage frame, you don’t need to give the app permission to access the entire photo library. Select the relevant photos from the list and you are ready.

2. Indication when Microphone and Camera are in Use

We’ve heard about some sketchy apps that take advantage of having access to microphones and cameras in the background to listen to user conversations.

With a new feature in iOS 14, you will know when an app is accessing your microphone or camera. There’s a new indicator that shows just above the iPhone’s signal meter. An orange dot indicates when an app is currently accessing your microphone, and a green dot indicates when an app is accessing your camera.

Open the Control Center and you will see the app icon invading your privacy in the background with an orange/green dot.

3. Clipboard Notification

Did you know that an app/advertiser can learn a lot about it based on your Clipboard history? A new add-on in iOS 14 notifies you when an app reads data from your clipboard. This is a seemingly insignificant but vital improvement for user privacy.

TikTok was caught red-handed when they continued to access User Clipboard data in the background. This behavior makes sense for browser apps and keyboard apps that read Clipboard data for seamless autofill entries. However, not every application has to adopt the same application.

4. Limit Location Access

If an app knows the general area you’re in, but you want to keep the exact GPS coordinates private, there’s a new Pinpoint Location toggle switch that you can turn off when you’re okay.

For example, Precise Location must be enabled for Apple Maps, Drive-in, or food-ordering apps to work properly. But it’s not weather-related apps that your approximate location should still do the job well.

5. Filter Bad Passwords

Apple offers an iCloud Keychain that syncs passwords and other login credentials for your various accounts on all your Apple hardware, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

iOS 14 now offers a password monitoring system. This will alert you if any of your credentials are detected in the event of a data breach; this means that access to your accounts may be compromised. Open Settings > Passwords and you’ll see them in the Security Advice menu.

6. Safari Privacy Report

With the Privacy Report in Safari, web browsing is safe and secure. You can tap the menu in the upper left corner of the address bar and navigate to the Privacy Report. Here you will see a detailed breakdown of the websites that followed you and the number of viewers Safari has blocked.

7. Allow Apps to Request Monitoring

After the iOS 14 update, Apps now require your permission to start tracking you between apps and websites. You will get a notification giving you the option to allow or restrict any app from tracking you.

By default, this option is disabled under Settings > Privacy > Tracking. When you enable it, apps start asking for permission to track you.

8. Network Access

Apps that want to access devices on your local network must request permission in iOS 14. This is helpful as some apps ask if they have any business to access your local network like Instagram and Facebook.

9. App Store Transparency

App Store – A gateway to millions of apps, it adds a new privacy section to every app page that summarizes the app’s privacy practices before you download the app.

Apps will now reveal the exact data formats used to track you. This helps you make better decisions when installing apps on your iPhone. You can also use the information to take steps to prevent violating apps from always tracking you.

The feature is not yet live. I guess the developers need more time to implement the recent changes.

10. Limit Wi-Fi Monitoring

When you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, there is the Use Private Address option to prevent network operators from tracking your phone on different Wi-Fi networks.

Enabled by default, the Use Private Address setting in any connection’s Wi-Fi settings will help your iPhone discard randomly generated Mac addresses.

11. Sign In With Apple Update

Apple introduced the Sign In with Apple feature last year, providing a convenient way to fill in login details for websites and apps. Plus, Sign in with Apple is incredibly secure as it lets you use an anonymized email address while masking the real thing to protect your privacy. With iOS 14, you can also upgrade existing login credentials to Sign in with Apple.

Enjoy a Safe and Secure Environment

Apple’s industry-leading commitments to user privacy are commendable. The company is stepping up its efforts to provide users with a safe and secure smartphone experience. Go ahead, try them out and make the necessary changes on the iPhone.

Next: If you’re serious about security, you should invest in a good password manager. Read the post below to know the five best iCloud Keychain alternatives for iPhone.