Apple's iOS 17 update included several new features and enhancements. However, some users who had previously turned off the iPhone Analytics and Significant Locations capabilities reported that these settings were unexpectedly switched on after updating to iOS 17.
Though the iOS 17 problem seems to impact a limited number of iPhone users, Apple is investigating the reported security issue and reaffirming its privacy commitment to its users, Phone Arena reported.
Two iOS developers and cybersecurity and privacy researchers by the name of Mysk exchanged their research on the iOS 17 issue, which they posted on social media.
How iPhone Users Can Resolve the iOS 17 Issue?
Mysk stresses that even if significant area data is kept local and encrypted on the user's iPhone, privacy issues might still arise since it keeps comprehensive records of frequently visited places. However, when shared with Apple, analytics reports generated by iPhone Analytics may include location data (even if it is anonymized). Security professionals often advise disabling both of these settings.
iPhone's Significant Locations is a feature that tracks a user's most recent travels, utilizing the location information for things like traffic forecasting. This data is end-to-end encrypted and only stays on the user's device. According to 9 to 5 Mac, to erase such data, select "Clear History." in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations.
Some individuals mentioned that these options had been activated on their iPhones as a result of the iOS 17 upgrade. Additionally, Gadgets 360 confirmed that both options, which were previously off in iOS 16, seemed to have been activated after the iOS 17 update.
🚨PSA: iOS 17 turns these sensitive location options back on. If you have disabled significant locations as well as adding your location information to your iPhone analytics before upgrading to iOS 17, iOS 17 will turn the options on as shown in the screenshot.
— Mysk 🇨🇦🇩🇪 (@mysk_co) September 23, 2023
While significant… pic.twitter.com/ROVEgPqw08
Last year, Mysk filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple for gathering personal data even while the iPhone Analytics function was off.
Apple India Facility Catches Fire
In separate news, Apple supplier Pegatron suspended iPhone production at its southern India facility after a fire on Sunday night, according to three sources quoted by Reuters. The Taiwanese corporation canceled all shifts at its factory near Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Monday. Two sources said it has not told assembly employees whether the site will reopen on Tuesday.
According to CNA, Pegatron informed Reuters that a "spark incident" at the Apple factory is under control and does not affect the business financially or operationally.
An industry source said the facility has been manufacturing between 8,000 and 12,000 iPhones per day in recent months despite its capacity of 26,000. Pegatron has not released the production estimate.
The local emergency response service official said it took approximately five hours and many fire engines from different stations to extinguish the Apple India facility fire.
Pegatron said that the fire incident at the Apple facility caused no injuries or property damage, and the authorities are investigating the causes of the m.
Apple has not yet commented on the incident as of current reporting.
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