Apple WWDC 2023: New privacy and security features announced for Apple devices

Updates to Safari Private Browsing

Safari introduced private browsing years before any other browser. This year, a significant update provides even greater protection against trackers as users browse the web and from people who might have access to their device. Private Browsing now locks the window when not in use, allowing a user to keep tabs open even when stepping away from the device. Photos Privacy Permission Improvements

A new embedded Photos picker can help users share specific photos with apps while keeping the rest of their library private. When apps ask to access the user’s entire photo library, the user will be shown more information about what they’ll be sharing, along with occasional reminders of their choice. 

Link Tracking Protection in Messages, Mail, and Safari Private Browsing

Some websites add extra information to their URLs in order to track users across other websites. With the updates coming later this year, this information will be removed from the links users share in Messages and Mail, and the links will still work as expected. 

Communication Safety

Communication Safety, designed to warn children when receiving or sending photos in Messages that contain nudity, now covers video content in addition to still images. A new API lets developers integrate Communication Safety right into their apps. Additionally, the feature will now help keep kids safe when they’re sending and receiving an AirDrop, a FaceTime video message, and when using the Phone app to receive a Contact Poster and the Photos picker to choose content to send. 

Sensitive Content Warning

Sensitive Content Warning helps adult users avoid seeing unwanted nude images and videos when receiving them in Messages, an AirDrop, a FaceTime video message, and the Phone app when receiving a Contact Poster.

Sensitive Content Warning is an opt-in feature that helps adults avoid seeing unwanted nude images and videos in Messages and AirDrop, as well as when receiving a Contact Poster in the Phone app or a FaceTime video message. 

Passwords and Passkeys Updates

For easier and more secure password and passkey sharing, users can create a group to share a set of passwords, and everyone in the group can add and edit passwords to keep them up to date. Since sharing is through iCloud Keychain, it is end-to-end encrypted. Additionally, one-time verification codes received in Mail will now automatically autofill in Safari, making it easy to securely log in without leaving the browser.

Users can now share passwords and passkeys with groups, so everyone can stay up to date with access to shared accounts.

Lockdown Mode

Lockdown Mode now offers even more protections for those who may be targeted by mercenary spyware because of who they are or what they do. Turning on Lockdown Mode also reduces the attack surface for those who need additional protections. Additionally, Lockdown Mode will be supported on watchOS.

NameDrop, a new AirDrop experience

With this new feature, a user can hold their iPhone near another to share their contact information with only their intended recipients. Users can also choose the specific contact details they want to share — and, importantly, what information they don’t want to share. Users can also share content like photos or links the same way. 

Apple Watch users can also use NameDrop by tapping the Share button in My Card in the Contacts app, or by tapping the My Card watch face complication, and then bringing Apple Watch face to face with someone else’s Apple Watch. 

Live Voicemail 

Finally, Live Voicemail makes it easier to know when to answer a phone call. When someone calls and starts to leave a message, users will see a live transcription as the caller speaks. If the user wants to talk to the caller, they can pick up the call at any time. When Silence Unknown Callers is turned on, calls from unknown numbers will go directly to Live Voicemail without ringing. Apple says that calls identified as spam by carriers won’t appear as Live Voicemail, and will instead be instantly declined. 

Updated: 06 Jun 2023, 01:25 AM IST