Apple launches iOS 11.3 with a raft of privacy features

Apple has launched a raft of new tools in iOS 11.3 that will allow consumers to better control how their data is used.

The features mean users are shown more information about the ways in which their personal information is shared with Apple.

They will also allow users to delete or deactivate their accounts so that Apple is no longer able to process their personal data.

The move is an apparent attempt by Tim Cook to separate his company from firms such Facebook, which are facing data privacy scandals.

The latest software update also includes new Animoji characters, improved augmented reality features, and the ability to turn off processor throttling for iPhones with old batteries.

 iOS 11.3 and macOS 10.13.4 now have updated data and privacy information.

iOS 11.3 and macOS 10.13.4 now have updated data and privacy information. Users will see new data privacy information page when they update the software explaining an icon which will appear when an Apple feature collects personal information

Privacy features 

iOS 11.3 and macOS 10.13.4 now have updated data and privacy information.

Users will see new data privacy information page when they update the software explaining an icon which will appear when an Apple feature collects personal information.

The icon will not appear on features such as Apple’s Maps or Siri, for example, because they do not collect user data, whereas it will appear on the App Store or iTunes.

‘Apple believes privacy is a fundamental human right so every Apple product is designed to minimise the collection and use of your data, use on-device processing whenever possible, and provide transparency and control over your information,’ the company said.

From May the device-maker will also introduce new privacy management tools on the Apple ID website allowing users to get a copy of all their data held by Apple, request a correction, deactivate or delete their account.

Facebook is currently embroiled in a major privacy scandal after millions of users’ data were improperly accessed by a political consultancy. 

It also comes as technology companies strive to bring their services into line with a tough new EU data protection law. 

The European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enters into force on May 25 and is the biggest shake-up of privacy rules since the birth of the internet.

It introduces stiff fines of up to 4 percent of global turnover for companies found to be in breach of the new rules.

HOW DO YOU UPDATE YOUR APPLE DEVICES? 

To make sure you are have all the new updates, download the latest software update on your device.

  • On iOS, go to Settings, General then Software Update, then tap Download and Install.
  • On MacOS, open the App Store and click Updates in the App Store toolbar, then use the Update buttons to download and install any updates listed.
  • On Apple TV, go to Settings, System, then Software Updates. Select Update Software, then select Download and Install. After the update downloads, your Apple TV will restart and prepare the update.

iOS 11.3 adds new features to show battery health of an iPhone and recommend if a battery needs to be serviced. These can be found in Settings -> Battery and are available for iPhone 6 and later

Users can now see if the power management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns, first introduced in iOS 10.2.1, is on and can choose to turn it off

iOS 11.3 adds new features to show battery health of an iPhone and recommend if a battery needs to be serviced. These can be found in Settings -> Battery and are available for iPhone 6 and later

Battery performance

iOS 11.3 adds new features to show battery health of an iPhone and recommend if a battery needs to be serviced. 

These can be found in Settings -> Battery and are available for iPhone 6 and later.

Users can now see if the power management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns, first introduced in iOS 10.2.1, is on and can choose to turn it off. 

This feature can be found in Settings -> Battery and is available for iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

The update tool is the result of a barrage of criticism that Apple faced when it was revealed that iOS automatically slows down processor performance in some iPhones to prevent unexpected shutdowns.

The tech giant now faces some 60 lawsuits from users that claim Apple slowed down older iPhones to make them buy new ones.

At least 32 lawsuits had been filed against Apple in January and, since then, the number has continued to climb.

The iOS Health app has gained a Health Records section. The new addition allow patients of almost participating 40 health care institutions in the US can view their health records

The iOS Health app has gained a Health Records section. The new addition allow patients of almost participating 40 health care institutions in the US can view their health records

Health records 

The iOS Health app has gained a Health Records section.

The new addition allow patients of almost participating 40 health care institutions in the US can view their health records. 

Apple says that this data is encrypted and protected by a passcode.

WHAT HAS FACEBOOK DONE TO ADDRESS PRIVACY CONCERNS?

Facebook is giving its privacy tools a makeover as it reels from criticisms over its data practices and faces tighter European regulations in the coming months.

The changes won’t affect Facebook’s privacy policies or the types of data it gathers about its users.

But the company hopes its 2.2 billion users will have an easier time navigating its complex and often confusing privacy and security settings.

Facebook is giving its privacy tools a makeover as it reels from criticisms over its data practices and faces tighter European regulations in the coming months. This image shows how the settings will appear before (left) and after (right) the redesign 

Facebook is giving its privacy tools a makeover as it reels from criticisms over its data practices and faces tighter European regulations in the coming months. This image shows how the settings will appear before (left) and after (right) the redesign 

Facebook says it’s trying to make the controls easier to find and to give users a simpler way to access and download the data it collects on them.

The announcement follows revelations that Trump-affiliated consulting firm got data on millions of unsuspecting Facebook users. 

Facebook is also facing criticism for collecting years of data on call and text histories from Android users.

In a written statement, Erin Egan, vice president and chief privacy officer, policy, and Ashlie Beringer, vice president and deputy general counsel, said: ‘Last week showed how much more work we need to do to enforce our policies and help people understand how Facebook works and the choices they have over their data. 

This image  shows a redesign of Facebook's privacy tools. The changes won't affect Facebook's privacy policies or the types of data it gathers on users, but the company hopes  users will have an easier time navigating its complex settings menus

This image shows a redesign of Facebook’s privacy tools. The changes won’t affect Facebook’s privacy policies or the types of data it gathers on users, but the company hopes users will have an easier time navigating its complex settings menus

Among the changes, Facebook is making data settings and tools easier to find, is introducing a new privacy shortcuts menu, and is adding tools to find, download and delete your Facebook data 

Among the changes, Facebook is making data settings and tools easier to find, is introducing a new privacy shortcuts menu, and is adding tools to find, download and delete your Facebook data 

‘We’ve heard loud and clear that privacy settings and other important tools are too hard to find and that we must do more to keep people informed. 

‘We’re taking additional steps in the coming weeks to put people more in control of their privacy. 

‘Most of these updates have been in the works for some time, but the events of the past several days underscore their importance.’

Among the changes, Facebook is making data settings and tools easier to find, is introducing a new privacy shortcuts menu, and is adding tools to find, download and delete your Facebook data.

Augmented reality

Apple’s ARKit augmented-reality apps had one major limitation; it could only recognize horizontal surfaces, such as floors and tables,  when deciding where to place virtual objects. 

With iOS 11.3, apps can now deliver AR experiences that use vertical surfaces like walls and doors, in addition to horizontal surfaces.

They can also more accurately map to irregularly shaped surfaces like circular tables.

‘Using advanced computer vision techniques to find and recognize the position of 2D images such as signs, posters and artwork, ARKit can integrate these real world images into AR experiences such as filling a museum with interactive exhibits or bringing a movie poster to life,’ Apple says. 

The view of the real world through the camera now has 50 percent greater resolution and supports auto-focus for an even sharper perspective.

Animoji

Four new Animoji characters have been introduced for iPhone X users.

They will bring user expressions to life as a lion, bear, dragon or skull. 

The A11 Bionic chip and TrueDepth camera give users the ability to record and send Animoji messages using their voice and more than 50 different facial muscle movements.

Business Chat is a new way for users to communicate directly with businesses using the Messages app on iPhone and iPad

. From today, Business Chat will be available in beta in the US and business will begin rolling out this new messaging feature for customers

Business Chat is a new way for users to communicate directly with businesses using the Messages app on iPhone and iPad. From today, Business Chat will be available in beta in the US and business will begin rolling out this new messaging feature for customers

Business chat

Business Chat is a new way for users to communicate directly with businesses using the Messages app on iPhone and iPad. 

From today, Business Chat will be available in beta in the US and business will begin rolling out this new messaging feature for customers. 

When searching for a business in Maps, Safari, Search or Siri on iPhone and iPad, users will see the option to contact the business using Messages to ask a question about a product or service, or make a purchase using Apple Pay. 

These conversations can be continued on Apple Watch or Mac. Users are always in control of whether they share any contact information with a business on Business Chat.

Other features 

Apple Music now streams music videos uninterrupted by ads.

Users can watch the latest videos, classics or ones from their favorite artists back-to-back in new music video playlists.

Apple News makes it easier to stay up-to-date on the most important videos of the day with a new Video group in For You, and improved Top Stories. 

HomeKit software authentication provides a great new way for developers to add HomeKit support to existing accessories while protecting privacy and security.

Support for Advanced Mobile Location (AML) to automatically send a user’s current location when making a call to emergency services in countries where AML is supported.

WHAT IS THE CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA SCANDAL?

Communications firms Cambridge Analytica has offices in London, New York, Washington, as well as Brazil and Malaysia.

The company boasts it can ‘find your voters and move them to action’ through data-driven campaigns and a team that includes data scientists and behavioural psychologists.

‘Within the United States alone, we have played a pivotal role in winning presidential races as well as congressional and state elections,’ with data on more than 230 million American voters, Cambridge Analytica claims on its website.

The company profited from a feature that meant apps could ask for permission to access your own data as well as the data of all your Facebook friends.

The data firm suspended its chief executive, Alexander Nix (pictured), after recordings emerged of him making a series of controversial claims, including boasts that Cambridge Analytica had a pivotal role in the election of Donald Trump

The data firm suspended its chief executive, Alexander Nix (pictured), after recordings emerged of him making a series of controversial claims, including boasts that Cambridge Analytica had a pivotal role in the election of Donald Trump

This meant the company was able to mine the information of 55 million Facebook users even though just 270,000 people gave them permission to do so.

This was designed to help them create software that can predict and influence voters’ choices at the ballot box.

The data firm suspended its chief executive, Alexander Nix, after recordings emerged of him making a series of controversial claims, including boasts that Cambridge Analytica had a pivotal role in the election of Donald Trump.

This information is said to have been used to help the Brexit campaign in the UK.



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