"Security experts have always advised to turn these two options off": Apple's iOS 17 raises major privacy concern

iOS 17 could be making unwanted changes to iPhone users' privacy settings, as per Mysk, a joint X (formerly Twitter) account of two security researchers. They shared that those who disabled iPhone Analytics and Significant Locations noticed certain privacy settings turned on automatically without approval or warning after updating to the latest iOS.

This comes after Apple told 9to5mac that updating to iOS 17 would not result in any changes to the user settings. The tech giant is currently investigating the matter and has reaffirmed its dedication to preserving user privacy.

Regarding this occurrence, Mysk stated:

"Having your location information included in these analytics reports might have privacy implications, even if the reports don't identify you. Security experts have always advised to turn these two options off."

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Apple's iOS 17 reportedly modifies privacy settings without authorization

Rarely does a major software launch go smoothly, and such is the case with iOS 17, with certain users' existing privacy settings reportedly getting altered without consent.

While Apple insists it cannot read Significant Locations due to end-to-end encryption, concerns about having these settings turned on continue to linger. Mysk pointed out that these settings reveal detailed information about your visited locations, and the phone stores this data locally.

Having this data present in analytics could potentially lead to privacy issues. Even if the information is meant to be anonymous, it's crucial to be mindful of the risks. Additionally, according to Mysk, security experts frequently advise users to turn off both settings.

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How to check Locations and iPhone Analytics' privacy on iOS 17

Although most users don't alter them in the first place, it is still worth checking your privacy settings. Follow these steps to turn them off:

• Go to iPhone's Settings.

• Select Privacy & Security.
• Choose Location Services.
• Scroll down and tap on System Services.
• Navigate to the bottom of the page and disable iPhone Analytics.
• Go back to System Services, tap on Significant Locations, and switch it off.
• Verify your identity using Face ID or the passcode when prompted.

So, if you're concerned about this developing situation, turn these features off completely, irrespective of what you previously set it to. On a positive note, Apple has pledged to launch an inquiry into this privacy concern to reduce the probability of similar occurrences in the future.