iOS 17 Expected to Launch with Eight Privacy and Security Upgrades: Here's What You Need to Know

Urian B., Tech Times 26 June 2023, 08:06 pm

Every once in a while, Apple launches new updates to its operating system, providing added features for users. With the next iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, the company is expected to add eight new features for users to try.

iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 Update Comes with Upgraded Security and Privacy Features

According to the story by Mac Rumors, the company is coming out with the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates, and with it, users are expected to get upgraded security and privacy features. The article notes that the new upgrades would make the users' devices "safer than ever."

This comes as the company is going to restrict access to photos and calendar events along with some other additions. These include cutting down even more on how certain websites track user data.

One of the noted changes includes Safari, which would lock privacy browsing windows while also requiring secondary authentication before anyone would be able to unlock and access it. Should users hand their phone to other people while trying to open the Safari private browsing tab, the users won't be able to access without a FaceID//TouchID or password scanning.

New Features Allow Password Sharing in a Secured Way

It was also highlighted that the Private tab would be automatically locked once opened, as detailed further in an article by 9to5Mac. Another major security feature is the tracking URL removal and when a URL is opened in a private browsing window, it would automatically "strip all tracking information added to the URL."

The feature would also block unknown trackers so that nobody can see the users' data across multiple sites. It was noted that URLS would also be stripped whenever users browse in non-private mode once they've enabled the functionality.

With the new operating systems for the iPhone and iPad, along with macOS Sonoma, users will be able to share their passwords securely. This also includes sharing passwords and passkeys with family members or friends that are using the shared password feature.

Through the feature, users can share passwords for media accounts, bills, utilities, and others to multiple users. The people with access will have the power to add and change the passwords shared through the Settings app's Passwords section under "Get Started" and "Family Passwords."

Users Will Also be Given 72-Hours to Fix Forgotten iPhone Passcodes

It was also noted that if users change the iPhone passcode and accidentally forget them, they would be given a 72-hour timeline to fix the problem without ultimately being locked out of the user's device. Users will have to create a new passcode within this timeline for them not to lose access.

Another notable feature is the Photo Library access, which would see apps needing permission to access photo collections. Apps are reportedly given with limited access, unless users give permission for whole library access.

The Calendar app would also grant users the ability to add events through the "Add Events Only" option. As for passkeys, they will automatically be assigned to the user's Apple ID while the Home app will include active history for up to 30 days for users to see who accessed what.