Urgent warning issued to Apple users to update their privacy settings

Apple recently rolled out the latest version of its iPhone software, iOS 17, as a free download for supported phones.

However, experts have spotted a bug that they claim messes with your iPhone’s existing privacy settings.

According to Mysk, a pair of iOS developers and cybersecurity researchers, downloading the new iOS 17 reactivated Significant Locations and iPhone Analytics on devices that had them previously turned off.

They warned that the update ‘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,’ they wrote in a social media post with a screenshot.

‘While significant locations remain local on your iPhone, they can be abused as they record detailed information about the locations you visit frequently,’ said the post.

On the other hand, iPhone Analytics allows Apple to collect data about how you use your iPhone.

This data can be used to improve Apple products and services. However, it can also be used to collect personal information about you, such as your location history and the apps you use.

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The reason behind the issue is unknown, but the good news is Apple is looking into it, so there should be a fix soon.

Either way, it’s always a good idea to check if both these features are turned off as recommended by security experts.