Apple announced updates and new features that are part of iOS 13. Several of them enhance user’s privacy and security. A new app location transparency feature is part of iOS 13. It sends users an notification when an app is using your location in the background, so you can decide whether to update your permission.
9To5Mac reported that the notification shows a map of the location data a specific app has tracked. The notification says the name of a specific app “has been using your location in the background. Do you want to continue allowing this?” It also shows a small explanation of what the app is using your location for.
Users get to choose what they want to do about that tracking. Options include continuing to allow a specific app background access to your location, changing permission to “only while using”, or “allow once”. The “allow once” option is considered temporary authorization, with the app prompting again the next time it is opened.
Other privacy and safety features include:
Location controls for shared photos: Now you can control whether you share your location when you share a photo on social media.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth location privacy enhancements: API changes and new controls will help prevent apps from accessing your location without you consent using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Hide My Email: Not sure you want to share your email address with a particular app? You can choose to share or hide your email address. You can also have Apple create a unique email address for you that forwards to your real address.
Respect for your privacy: Apple says it will never track or profile you when you sign in with Apple. The most information you’ll have to share with an app or website is your name and email address.
I think that most Apple users will become more aware of not only how many apps they have on their phone, but also what data those apps are tracking (or collecting). People might decide to delete apps that are too grabby. Personally, I think it is really nice that Apple cares enough about user’s privacy and security to implement these notifications and changes.