Apple has expressed plans to restrict messaging apps from accessing background data on iOS devices. The tech giants plan to restrict how apps implement internet voice call functionalities on its phones. It was detected that the mobile software could gather data from the device while running in the background.
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The tech company has now said it will require background access for Voice Over IP (VoIP) calls. This new restriction will most likely apply to messaging apps like WhatsApp, IMO and Facebook Messenger. The apps use tools that can make it run features in the background while not in use. These allows it to bypass some iOS restrictions that lets it access data from the phone.
WhatsApp for example, uses the VoIP call technology to implement the end-to-end encryption. Reports also suggest that WeChat and Snapchat also rely on the technology on their apps. The new restriction was announced earlier in the year at Apple’s WWDC 2019. Apple is looking to tighten up its privacy features even further.
Sign in with Apple feature
Apple prides itself as a privacy-first company. The company may have stepped on a few toes after it revealed the new Sign in with Apple feature. In a bid to be more secure, Apple will let its users log into apps and services without revealing their email address. This did not sit well with developers because it will limit the amount of user data they can gain access to.
The tool is similar to third-party sign ins like the Facebook or Google sign in options. The tool allowed Facebook collect countless information on third-party services that users log on to. However, Apple is now making one of theirs with the introduction of the iOS 13.
Apple has also said it is tightening rules around enterprises certificates on devices. This was after it discovered that Facebook was using the certificates to distribute VPN software that illegally takes data in exchange for rewards. Facebook was forced to pull the app after Apple revoked their access to its enterprise app program.
The new restriction according to Apple, will be implemented by April 2020. Developers now have until then to tighten lose ends and take the restrictions into consideration when updating their apps.
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