The iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates offer significant changes in terms of privacy and security. Apple has introduced new restrictions and controls, as well as features designed to protect your information in the next software update for iPhone and iPad.
iOS 17, privacy and security: the news to come
What’s new in Safari is that private browsing windows are now locked down and require additional authentication to be unlocked. This means that if someone tries to open a private browsing tab without the correct authorization, access will be denied unless a scanned Face ID/Touch ID or entered a passcode. Also, opening a URL in a private browsing window automatically removes tracking information.
The shared password feature allows you to securely share passwords and passkeys with friends and family. Each person can access and manage shared passwords by logging into the Passwords section of the Settings app and using the “Get started” option in the “Family Passwords” section.
Also new for passcodes: you can in fact use the veye passcode within 72 hours of changing it, offering a useful option for those who are in danger of forgetting the passcode they just set. And you can tap on the option “You forgot your passcode?” at the bottom of the screen to use the “Try to reset your passcode” option and create a new passcode using the old one.
New for photos and videos
In iOS 17, Apple is rolling out a security improvement for access to the photo library, requesting apps to ask for permission to access the entire collection of images. By default, apps are allowed only limited access and can only view selected images.
Here are the different types of access you can give apps:
Other news for privacy and security
Apps can add events to your calendar without viewing your calendar via the “Add events only” option. You can manage access to your calendar in your Privacy & Security settings and give apps Full Access, Add Events Only, or revoke access completely.
Additionally, iOS 17 introduces the passkey as a secure alternative to passwords for accessing Apple IDs, using biometric authentication such as Face ID or Touch ID. Passkeys are secure and cannot be intercepted by third parties. Also, with iOS 17, macOS Sonoma and iPadOS 17, biometric authentication will replace passwords when logging into Apple websites.
In the end, the Home app offers an activity history to track logins and actions performed on connected devices.