Apple's new privacy feature, iCloud Private Relay, is still in beta in iOS 15. But the company has now released a guide that shows how it works, how to use it - and what it doesn't do.
Apple has now published the “iCloud Private Relay Overview,” which describes how the feature “protects users’ privacy online.” In the document is it [called:
When a user browses the Internet, network providers and the websites they visit can see basic information about their Internet traffic, such as their IP address and DNS records. A user may then be targeted with unsolicited advertisements and marketing campaigns, or their data may be combined with other data and sold to other companies.
The guide explains how iCloud Private Relay sends a user's browsing requests "through two separate internet relays so that no single entity can combine browsing activity into detailed profile information."
Apple explains when iCloud Private Relay does not work
Apple's document essentially repeats the same details the company announced at WWDC 2021 and explained in a developer video. However, the new publication goes into more detail about when iCloud Private Relay doesn't work. Users who have been switching between WiFi and cellular hotspots may have repeatedly seen the message that iCloud Private Relay turns off and on again. Apple's guide now explains why this is the case.
Mobile services such as Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), telephone services (XCAP), Entitlement Server access, tethering traffic and Visual Voicemail do not use Private Relay. These services are always accessed directly.
There are also intentional exceptions when a user is in a company.
Most managed network settings used by enterprises take precedence over Private Relay.
Even if a user uses a VPN or certain proxy configurations, internet traffic will not be routed through Private Relay. Apple also states that corporate networks may block access to Private Relay. In this case, "users will be notified that they must either disable Private Relay for that network or select a different network." One issue not addressed in the overview is the fact that Apple's new privacy feature will not be available in all countries, especially not in Russia. (Photo by nikkimeel / Bigstockphoto)
