Apple wants to be recognised for prioritising privacy while developing hardware and software. While the company has successfully introduced essential features to this matter, such as Sign In With Apple, end-to-end encryption to iMessage and FaceTime, iOS 15’s Find My function even with the phone off, App Tracking Transparency, and more, there are some features coming to iOS 16 that will make the iPhone less secure. Here are them and some suggestions on how Apple might address them before releasing the new OS.
The iPhone has integrated seamlessly into peoples’ daily lives. We have a single device that stores all of our data, including pictures, videos, texts, contacts, and bank information. Regular users can be certain that they are safe thanks to features like their two-step verification process, Face ID, etc., but some people prefer to have an additional layer of security.
In a few of minutes after the iPhone is unlocked, hackers can gain access to bank information, as 9to5Mac previously documented. Additionally, this is not the only issue. Anyone who knows your four- or six-digit PIN can perform any action on your iPhone.
For instance, if you use the Microsoft Outlook software, you may add Face ID protection to it while still being able to access the user’s mails by just typing the six-digit passcode. It’s a big concern since someone could potentially reset your Apple ID password using these numbers.
With that in mind, the ability to lock a note on the Notes app with a distinct PIN is one of the most intriguing things I’ve always adored. The Notes app can be locked in the same manner that the SIM on your iPhone can be locked when the phone is turned off and back on.
Apple, though, is expected to prioritise convenience over protection with iOS 16. On iOS 16, the Notes app prompts you to “Remember One Less Password: End-to-end encrypt your protected notes with your device passcode” when you launch it for the first time. And even though I can see how this would be beneficial, let me explain why this is a problem.
But that isn’t the only drawback. Safari on iOS 16 likewise prioritises usability over security. Apple believed it was a brilliant idea to allow customers to start keeping the card’s security code even though it has been a long since users could store their credit card information with Keychain. Craig Federighi, the CEO of Apple, stated in 2013 that the company can assist you in entering the majority of your credit card data, but “you have to remember your own security code, that’s what makes it secure after all.” So why the change at this time?
How can iOS 16 address these privacy issues?
I believe Apple should just remove these particular iOS 16 functionalities. I don’t see how Apple does not consider the rising number of stolen iPhones in some places to be an issue, even when the majority of these features are designed with the assumption that no one knows your six-digit pin.
Fortunately, this may not be a problem everywhere, but it does lessen the security of using an iPhone. It’s a good idea to allow users to add several passwords to specific apps.
Additionally, I would strongly advise Apple to stop allowing users to reset their Apple ID password on an iPhone with only a six-digit pin. It’s too dangerous.
I strongly advise using third-party apps that can better safeguard your data even while Apple doesn’t fix these vulnerabilities with iOS 16.
For instance, you can add a different password to the Authenticator apps from 1Password and 2Stable to store your credentials with E2E without relying on Touch ID or Face ID’s ease.
Another excellent method is to use apps that secure the storage of documents and photographs. Personally, I still hope Apple would release a Secure Folder, similar to what Samsung has done, so customers can better safeguard their data.
What do you think of the privacy enhancements in iOS 16? Do you share my opinion? Post your comments in the space provided below.