How Apple is Enhancing Security to Prevent iPhone Thefts

Introduction

If you own an iPhone, you know how valuable it is. Not only because of its high price, but also because of the personal and sensitive data it contains. Your iPhone holds your photos, videos, messages, contacts, emails, passwords, bank accounts, and more. It is your digital identity and your gateway to the online world.

But what if your iPhone gets stolen? How can you protect your privacy and security from thieves who can access your data, impersonate you, or even blackmail you? According to a report by Consumer Reports, more than 3 million smartphones were stolen in the US in 2022. That means one out of every 10 smartphone users was a victim of theft. And the consequences can be devastating. A study by NortonLifeLock found that 69% of smartphone theft victims experienced identity theft, fraud, or other cybercrimes.

Apple has always been at the forefront of privacy and security in the tech industry. It has built-in features that help users secure their iPhones, such as passcodes, Face ID, Touch ID, Find My iPhone, and iCloud Keychain. However, these features are not foolproof. They can be bypassed, hacked, or disabled by savvy thieves. Moreover, they do not prevent the physical theft of the device in the first place.

That is why Apple is constantly innovating its security features to prevent iPhone thefts and protect users’ data. In June 2023, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple announced a slew of new privacy and security features that will be available in iOS 16, the latest version of its mobile operating system. These features aim to provide more protection against trackers, phishing, malware, and unauthorized access. They also offer new ways to safeguard personal information and prevent unwanted interactions.

In this article, we will explore how Apple is enhancing its security measures to prevent iPhone thefts and protect users’ data. We will also compare these features with other competitors or alternatives in the market. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to use these features to enhance your privacy and security online.

Safari Private Browsing

One of the new features that Apple announced in WWDC 2023 is Safari Private Browsing. This feature allows users to browse the web without leaving any traces of their activity on their device or online. Safari Private Browsing automatically deletes cookies, history, cache, and other data when users close the browser tab. It also blocks third-party trackers, ads, and scripts that can collect personal information or compromise security.

Safari Private Browsing is different from the existing Incognito Mode or Private Mode in other browsers. These modes only prevent the browser from storing data on the device, but they do not prevent online tracking or data collection. Safari Private Browsing, on the other hand, uses advanced encryption and anonymization techniques to prevent anyone from seeing or accessing the user’s browsing data. It also uses Apple’s own search engine, which does not track or store user queries, unlike Google or Bing.

Safari Private Browsing is beneficial for users who want to browse the web without worrying about their privacy or security. It can also help users avoid targeted ads, price discrimination, or censorship based on their online behavior. Safari Private Browsing is especially useful for users who share their devices with others, such as family members, friends, or coworkers. It can prevent them from seeing or accessing the user’s browsing history, bookmarks, or passwords.

Communication Safety

Another feature that Apple introduced in WWDC 2023 is Communication Safety. This feature is designed to protect users from unwanted or harmful messages, calls, or emails. Communication Safety uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and filter spam, scams, phishing, malware, and other threats. It also allows users to block, report, or mute contacts or numbers that they do not want to communicate with.

Communication Safety works across all Apple’s communication apps, such as Messages, FaceTime, Phone, and Mail. It also integrates with third-party apps, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Gmail. Communication Safety can identify and warn users about suspicious or malicious messages, calls, or emails, such as:

• Messages that ask for personal or financial information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers.
• Messages that contain links or attachments that can infect the device with malware or ransomware.
• Messages that impersonate legitimate organizations, such as banks, government agencies, or online services.
• Messages that offer fake or illegal products, services, or opportunities, such as lottery winnings, free gifts, or investment schemes.
• Messages that contain abusive, harassing, or threatening language or content, such as hate speech, bullying, or blackmail.

Communication Safety can also block or mute contacts or numbers that users do not want to communicate with, such as:

• Contacts or numbers that are unknown, unrecognized, or unverified by the user.
• Contacts or numbers that are repeatedly reported or flagged by other users or authorities.
• Contacts or numbers that are associated with spam, scams, phishing, malware, or other threats.
• Contacts or numbers that are blocked or muted by the user’s preferences, settings, or parental controls.
• Communication Safety is helpful for users who want to avoid or reduce unwanted or harmful messages, calls, or emails. It can also help users save time, money, and bandwidth by filtering out spam, scams, phishing, malware, and other threats.
• Communication Safety is especially important for users who are vulnerable or at risk of being targeted by cybercriminals, such as children, seniors, or minorities.

Lockdown Mode

Another feature that Apple unveiled in WWDC 2023 is Lockdown Mode. This feature allows users to lock their iPhones in case of theft, loss, or emergency. Lockdown Mode disables all the functions and features of the device, except for emergency calls and contacts. It also erases all the data and settings on the device, making it unusable and unrecoverable by anyone.

Lockdown Mode can be activated by the user in two ways:

• By pressing and holding the power and volume buttons for five seconds.
• By sending a remote command from another Apple device or iCloud account.

Lockdown Mode can also be deactivated by the user in two ways:

• By entering the correct passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID on the device.
• By sending a remote command from another Apple device or iCloud account.

Lockdown Mode is useful for users who want to protect their iPhones from theft, loss, or emergency. It can also help users prevent unauthorized access, data breach, or identity theft. Lockdown Mode is especially crucial for users who store sensitive or confidential data on their devices, such as personal, financial, or professional information.

App Privacy Improvements

In addition to the new features, Apple also announced some app privacy improvements in WWDC 2023. These improvements aim to give developers more information and control over the data practices of third-party SDKs (software development kits) they use in their apps. SDKs are tools that developers use to add functionality, features, or services to their apps, such as analytics, advertising, or social media. However, some SDKs can also collect, share, or sell user data without the developer’s or user’s knowledge or consent.

Apple’s app privacy improvements include:

Privacy Nutrition Labels:

These are labels that show the data practices of third-party SDKs in a clear and concise way. They are similar to the existing App Privacy labels that show the data practices of the apps themselves. Privacy Nutrition Labels help developers understand what data the SDKs collect, how they use it, and with whom they share it. They also help developers choose the SDKs that respect user privacy and comply with Apple’s privacy policies.

App Privacy Report:

This is a report that shows the data activity of the apps and the SDKs on the device. It is similar to the existing Safari Privacy Report that shows the data activity of the websites on the browser. App Privacy Report helps users see what data the apps and the SDKs access, how often they access it, and where they send it. It also helps users manage their app permissions and settings.
Apple’s app privacy improvements are beneficial for both developers and users. They help developers create more transparent and trustworthy apps that respect user privacy and security. They also help users make more informed and empowered choices about the apps they use and the data they share.

New Features with Privacy and Security at their Core

Besides the new features and improvements, Apple also announced some new features that are designed with privacy and security at their core. These features offer new ways to safeguard personal information and prevent unwanted interactions. They include:

Check In:

This is a feature that allows users to share their location with trusted contacts in real time. It is similar to the existing Find My Friends feature, but with more privacy and security options. Check In helps users stay safe and connected with their friends and family, especially when they are in unfamiliar or risky situations. Users can choose who they want to share their location with, how long they want to share it, and what level of detail they want to share. They can also stop sharing their location at any time or request help from their contacts if they need it.

NameDrop:

This is a feature that allows users to create and share temporary or disposable identities with others. It is similar to the existing Sign in with Apple feature, but with more flexibility and customization. NameDrop helps users protect their real identity and personal information from strangers, spammers, or scammers. Users can create and share fake names, email, addresses, phone numbers, or profiles that they can use to communicate with others without revealing their real identity or personal information. They can also delete or change these identities at any time or set them to expire after a certain period of time.