Apple's privacy-focused iOS 13 slashed location data collected from third party apps by 68 PERCENT

It seems Apple’s iOS 13 delivered on its promise to focus on privacy.

A new report found that background data collection by third-party apps dropped 68 percent since the system’s roll out in September of last year.

The tech giant designed pop-up notification alerts that notify users when an app is attempting to collect data while it is not in use.

Although this feature has been part of iOS since 2017, Apple recently made users more aware of its abilities. 

The update was specifically developed with a slew of privacy features that will help you control what data is shared and keep apps from invading your privacy.

Apple designed pop-up notification alerts that notify users when an app is attempting to collect data while it is not in use

The report, released by Digiday , also found that foreground data sharing, which occurs only while an app is open, dropped by 24 percent.

Because of this, many third-party apps are seeing opt-in rates under 50 percent.

Prior to Apple’s watchdog technology, apps were experiencing nearly 100 percent opt-ins from users.

Not only are marketers and apps struggling, but GPS data has also seen a decline since the pop-up notifications gave users control of their location data.

The update was specifically developed with a slew of privacy features that will help you control what data is shared and keep apps from invading your privacy. The reportalso found that foreground data sharing, which occurs only while an app is open, dropped by 24 percent

When a third-party app is attempting to collect data, the pop-up will appear with three options to choose form: ‘Change to Only While Using,’ ‘Always Allow’ and ‘Just Once.’ 

As those particular options were made available to users, we do attribute that to the decrease in sharing,’ Jason Smith, Location Sciences’ chief business officer, told Fast Company.

Users have known for quite some time that apps, specifically Facebook and Google, were covertly collecting personal information and location data from a number of popular apps on devices, often without users’ knowledge.

However, Apple CEO Tim Cook is no longer standing on the sidelines watching it happen.

Last year, Cook endorsed tough privacy laws for both Europe and the U.S. and renewed the technology giant’s commitment to protecting personal data, which he warned was being ‘weaponized’ against users.

‘Our own information, from the everyday to the deeply personal, is being weaponized against us with military efficiency,’ Cook said at the 40th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in 2018.

Prior to Apple’s watchdog technology added in the iOS 13, apps were experiencing nearly 100 percent opt-ins from users. Not only are marketers and apps struggling, but GPS data has also seen a decline since the pop-up notifications gave users control of their location data

‘Every day billions of dollars change hands and countless decisions are made on the basis of our likes and dislikes, our friends and families, our relationships and conversations, our wishes and fears, our hopes and dreams.’

‘These threads of data, each one harmless enough on its own, are carefully assembled, synthesized, traded, and sold. Taken to its extreme this process creates an enduring digital profile and lets companies know you better than you may know yourself,’ Cook continued.

‘We shouldn’t sugarcoat the consequences. ‘

‘This is surveillance. And these stockpiles of personal data serve only to enrich the companies that collect them.’ 

‘This should make us very uncomfortable. It should unsettle us.’

WHAT’S NEW IN iOS 13?

With iOS 13, you’ll be able to unlock your phone 30 percent faster using Face ID.

App launch speeds will also be twice as fast, thanks to downloads shrinking by 50 percent and updates by 60 percent.

iOS 13 will also get ‘Dark Mode’, which has long been available among its many competitors.

It boasts an inverted color palette for a sleeker design that’s easier on the eyes.  

In addition, iOS 13 will include a newly-designed share sheet and brings updates for Safari, Mail, Notes, and Reminders. 

‘Safari now has per-website preferences, Mail has new desktop formatting, and Notes will now have shared folders,’ Apple’s Craig Federighi revealed.

‘Reminders is now smarter, and can guess when to remind you of certain tasks.’

Apple’s iOS 13 will be available for the iPhone 6s and later handsets, and is packed with an array of changes – such as video editing, menstrual tracking and improved privacy features.

Apple’s Photo app is also getting smarter, and will soon automatically separate your screenshots from your main images. 

iOS 13 will also come with more advanced photo editing options, including Portrait Lighting adjustments. 

Apple Maps is also getting a major overhaul slated to become available by the end of 2019, with a focus on keeping things ‘private and secure.’ 

This will include a new favorites section for different locations, shareable lists, and personalized lists based on your trips. 

And your location data will now come with more protections. 

‘Sharing your location with a third party app can really enable some useful third-party experiences,’ said Director of Product Research, Meg Frost.  

‘For the first time you can share your location with an app just once and then require it to ask again the next time it wants it. 

‘And if you do choose to grant an app to continually monitor your location in the background, we’ll give you reports on what they’re up to.

‘Some apps try to infer your location through Bluetooth connections, etc. We’re shutting the door on that abuse as well.’