iOS Privacy Settings

A lot of information is recorded and sometimes shared when you use your device. Your pictures are tagged with GPS location data, date, and time. Weather apps use your location to provide weather data in your immediate area. The Maps app tracks your movements, and so on. You do have some control over what apps can and cannot access—you’ll give them permissions when you install them. You can review and modify permissions at any time, but you may lose functions if you restrict information. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the more important privacy settings.

Location privacy

Location Services shares your location with apps. A few of the many apps that use your location are:

• Maps
• Weather apps
• Google searches
• Facebook
• Uber and Lyft

If an app is using Location Services, the Location Services icon  will appear in the Status Bar.

There are two levels of location sharing on Apple devices: Never or While Using the App (or Widgets). Apps can no longer force you to allow Location Services all the time. To update your preferences, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and scroll down the list of apps.

Turning Location Services on and off

Location Services can be turned off altogether in Settings > Privacy > Location Services and turning off the Location Services button. Be aware that many import features stop working without Location Services, including Find My and location sharing with Emergency SOS.

Should I worry about my location being shared?

Your location data is collected anonymously and in aggregate form with other users. This data can be extremely helpful to you as a user. For instance, Apple can tell that iPhone users are going too slow on a highway. That information is used by the Maps app to indicate traffic problems. Apps may also use location information to suggest stores and restaurants close to you if you are using your iPhone to conduct searches. Each third-party app will have a published policy regarding location uses. Each app also has a brief explanation of location use in the Location Services settings. All fall under Apple’s general use policies as well. These policies change from time to time.

Photo sharing privacy

Smartphones, tablets, and most digital cameras save additional data when you take a picture. The data may include the location, date, and time a photo was taken, as well as what type of device took the photo. That data is embedded with the photo and can easily be read by anyone to whom you email a photo. This data may be readable when you share it online. Facebook and Twitter both strip location data from photographs before publishing, but other social media platforms might not. As with anything on the internet, consider things you post and share to be public—no matter how you intend to restrict their use—and use common sense when posting.

Other privacy issues

Some apps request access to your Contacts, Calendars, Photos, and other apps. For instance, if you use your iPhone to share your pictures on Facebook, Facebook must have access to your Photos app. Music streaming services need access to your phone to know when to mute and release the speaker so you can make or receive a call. FaceTime needs access to your contacts, camera, microphone, and speakers to function.

Although some of these may sound invasive, apps cannot actively make calls, send messages, take pictures, or take control of any other functions without your express permission.

All your privacy settings are in Settings > Privacy. You can set security preferences for each app individually.