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With iOS 13, Apple has not only added useful features but also significantly increased data protection. For example, applications can no longer track your location so easily. But this change has led to a lot of criticism - now Apple has spoken out and responded to a Wall Street Journal report.
Starting with iOS 13 or later, users regularly receive notifications about location tracking by individual apps. The "Always" option has been hidden in the iOS settings. Continuous tracking can therefore only be enabled in the settings under Privacy in the Location Services section, so that the notifications no longer appear – provided the "Always" option is available. Anything else results in users being regularly reminded by iOS and asked whether the respective application can continue to track their location. This new feature caused a lot of criticism and anger. As a reminder: The notification on the home screen offers the user the option of continuing to allow constant access to their location or allowing access while using the app. This notification appears at regular intervals.
Apple pursues a different business model
Now the Wall Street Journal is reporting that developers are concerned. According to them, many users are complaining about the regular notices - this is even leading to negative reviews in the App Store. This would result in a reduction in the acceptance of individual applications - according to the WSJ. Now Apple has responded to this report and defended the change. The statement reads:
Apple has not built a business model that revolves around knowing the location of a customer or the location of their device.
Apple
In the context of this, the spokesperson also explained that Apple's hardware and software are designed with privacy in mind. Accordingly, no further changes are expected. Anyone who truly wants to avoid these regular notifications must, as described above, select the "Always" option in the iOS settings under Privacy in the Location Services section – but be careful. Not every app offers this option. Other options include "Never," "Ask next time," and "When using the app."
Data collected has fallen by 70 percent since iOS 13
The amount of location data collected by individual applications in the background has dropped by around 70 percent since the release of iOS 13, according to Jason Smith, chief business officer of data intelligence company Location Sciences. Considering how easily such data can be used to identify and track individuals, this decline is a promising sign, says Smith. (Photo by Alessandro Biascioli / Bigstockphoto)
