As part of the new iCloud+ subscription service unveiled at WWDC 2021, Apple introduced iCloud Private Relay, a feature designed to provide users with an additional layer of privacy and security by sending requests through two separate internet relays to hide user data.
The feature is currently available to iCloud+ subscribers as a “beta” feature. But a new report suggests that this could change with iOS 16 this year. quoted Digiday cites "multiple sources" saying that Apple is planning a handful of new features for iOS 16 this year that will further limit user data tracking. One of the sources cited in the article is Charles Manning, CEO of mobile analytics measurement company Kochava. Manning explained that he believes Apple will increase its focus on privacy by expanding Private Relay:
Will Apple expand Private Relay in iOS 16?
The logistical implications of enforcing policy combined with Apple's tradition of creating technical guardrails suggest that they will rely on Private Relay as (or part of) the technical enforcement mechanism. I believe that Apple will announce that customers love Private Relay and that it is so successful that they will make it an "always-on" feature for in-app behavior.
At this point, iCloud Private Relay works primarily for iCloud+ subscribers for Safari traffic. It is not available for most other in-app traffic outside of Safari and certain features in Mail. However, if the sources cited in this report are correct, Apple could expand Private Relay as an "always-on" feature for other in-app traffic. It is also worth remembering that Apple already performs IP rerouting for all users in Safari when they visit HTTP websites. This rerouting occurs for all users, regardless of whether the user is an iCloud+ subscriber with iCloud Private Relay enabled or not. Ultimately, the details here are still a bit unclear. But it's not surprising that industry sources say Apple is planning further privacy-protection changes. One possibility that some sources have suggested is that Apple could do away with app fingerprinting altogether with iOS 16. But details on how such a change would be implemented are unclear. (Photo by DenPhoto / Bigstockphoto)
