Apple’s latest iPhone software update turns on a “creepy sound setting,” and users are urging others to turn it off.
A default setting called “discoverable” led iPhone users to believe that their name and location information was being shared without their consent.
However, this is not the case; The Wall Street Journal reported.
As part of the iOS 17.2 release on December 11, 2023, Apple released the Journal app. Advertised as personal journaling software “It’s designed to help users remember and write about moments: new places they’ve visited, photos they’ve taken, songs they’ve played, workouts they’ve completed.”
The new app comes with a new Journaling Suggestions API, or application programming interface, that recommends topics for you to write about based on what your phone knows about you.
The Journal app prompts users to turn this feature on or off at their discretion when they first open the app, although Apple claims it won’t share this suggestion with the company. Users are aware that this feature is enabled even if they select “No.” It was turned on anyway, the Journal reported earlier.
[設定]>[プライバシーとセキュリティ]>[ジャーナリングの提案]Even if the user doesn’t have suggestions turned on,[ジャーナリングの提案]of[他の人が発見可能]The feature is enabled by default.
Users who discovered this flawed feature have been speculating on social media as to why the setting is turned on by default via the Settings app, even if they have selected other settings in the Journal app.
Many people believe that Apple is sharing their full name and location with other users and companies, and urge others to “protect themselves” and “stay safe” by turning off this feature. I think it’s a warning.
But the Journaling Suggestions & Privacy landing page on Apple’s Legal website claims that “if you choose to share your suggestions with the Journal app, you can control your entries.”
For users whose iPhones are passcode-locked, the website adds, “All Journal entries are end-to-end encrypted when stored in iCloud, so even Apple can’t read them.” Masu.
Another person pointed to Yahoo!news coverage The “People Can Discover” feature “discovers the number of nearby devices and saved contacts that are within Bluetooth range.”
However, details of your contacts and people nearby will not be saved on your phone and your information will not be shared with anyone. ”
Similar to AirDrop, iPhone users can share their journals with nearby users who have Bluetooth enabled, but they must first approve.
For added security, users can[設定]>[プライバシーとセキュリティ]>[ジャーナリングの提案]You can also turn off Journal’s ability to create writing prompts using the number of nearby devices and contacts in Pathways. Then turn off “Prioritize other people’s suggestions.”
According to Yahoo, turning off this and the “discoverable by others” feature will reduce the accuracy and specificity of journaling suggestions when providing prompts.
Apple representatives did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
