Latest news with #AppPrivacyReport
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Millions of phones have hidden ‘spy report' you MUST turn on that exposes every time your camera & mic were accessed
There's a second spying feature you should check too I-SPY? Millions of phones have hidden 'spy report' you MUST turn on that exposes every time your camera & mic were accessed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HIDDEN "spy report" on your phone reveals if dodgy apps have been taking liberty with your privacy. Once you turn it on, you can expose apps that are accessing your camera and microphone – and if they shouldn't be, you can lock them out. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Head into your Privacy & Security settings Credit: The Sun / Apple Your smartphone is one of the most important devices that you carry around. It contains mountains of personal data, texts, photos and more – and is equipped with loads of sensors, including a microphone and camera. If you're worried that an app might be spying on you, there's a good way to check. You just need to set it up in advance. It's all through a feature called the App Privacy Report, which has been on iPhone for a few years now. It's off by default and it's so easy to miss. APP PRIVACY REPORT – HOW TO SWITCH IT ON First, you'll need to turn the App Privacy Report on. It only tracks what your apps are doing after it's switched on – and won't show any old data before you activated it. Similarly, if you ever switch it off, it'll clear your Privacy Report too. That means you'll be starting from fresh again next time. To turn it on, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report. Then just tap the option to Turn On App Privacy Report. You can turn it off again by following the same steps if you ever change your mind. iPhone 16e review – I've secretly tested Apple's cheapest mobile and I love the new button but that's not the best bit APP PRIVACY REPORT – HOW DOES IT WORK? Once it's on, the App Privacy Report will begin logging everything that your apps do. The main section that you'll want to be looking at is the Data & Sensor Access panel at the top. This reveals every time that an app has accessed your info or sensors. Sensors include your camera or microphone, while data is access to things like your Contacts or Location. 3 Look for the App Privacy Report and switch it on Credit: The Sun / Apple You can tap on an app and see the most recent times that the sensor or data was accessed. And then you can tap into each sensor or data to see timestamps for every single time they were accessed in the last seven days. So what should you be looking out for? Well some apps will absolutely need access. You'll struggle to take pics with Instagram if you don't give camera access – and WhatsApp needs your microphone for voice notes. Uber will need your Location, and Google Maps will want access to that too. Instead, look for strange access to sensors or data that don't make sense. Is the calculator app that you downloaded using your camera in the middle of the night? Or is that PDF scanner app constantly tapping into your microphone? 3 You can see when apps are accessing your info Credit: Apple These are major spying red flags that you should be worried about. It's unlikely that you'll find anything amiss with very mainstream apps, as they're so well-used and regularly probed by security experts. But you'll want to pay attention if you're using very niche apps with few downloads and reviews. HOW TO LOCK APPS OUT If you are worried about your security, you can lock specific apps off from your sensors or data. RUN A SAFETY CHECK TOO! Here's another privacy trick that you should definitely try... Your iPhone has a feature called Safety Check. It lets you quickly see who you're sharing your info with. Maybe you set up location sharing with an ex, or someone still has access to a shared photo album – or maybe you granted microphone access to an app you no longer trust. Safety Check quickly scans your phone for all of this, lets you review it, and allows you to make any changes. Just go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check and follow the steps. There's also an Emergency Reset button that immediately stops sharing all info. And there's a Quick Exit button in the corner that closes the Settings app, returns you to the Home Screen, and saves any changes that you'd made. That way, if you're trying to review your security in a rush and you're worried about someone seeing, you can quickly conceal the process. Picture Credit: Apple Just go into Settings > Privacy & Security, then tap on Camera or Microphone). Then you can see a list of the apps that have asked for permission for that sensor. Tap the toggle at the side to turn access off for that app. But if you're genuinely worried about an app spying on you, it's probably best to just delete it from your phone entirely. You can do that by going into the App Library (the furthest-right panel on your Home Screen), pressing down on the app, and then deleting it.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Millions of phones have hidden ‘spy report' you MUST turn on that exposes every time your camera & mic were accessed
A HIDDEN "spy report" on your phone reveals if dodgy apps have been taking liberty with your privacy. Once you turn it on, you can expose apps that are accessing your camera and microphone – and if they shouldn't be, you can lock them out. 3 Your smartphone is one of the most important devices that you carry around. It contains mountains of personal data, texts, photos and more – and is equipped with loads of sensors, including a microphone and camera. If you're worried that an app might be spying on you, there's a good way to check. You just need to set it up in advance. It's all through a feature called the App Privacy Report, which has been on iPhone for a few years now. It's off by default and it's so easy to miss. APP PRIVACY REPORT – HOW TO SWITCH IT ON First, you'll need to turn the App Privacy Report on. It only tracks what your apps are doing after it's switched on – and won't show any old data before you activated it. Similarly, if you ever switch it off, it'll clear your Privacy Report too. That means you'll be starting from fresh again next time. To turn it on, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report. Then just tap the option to Turn On App Privacy Report. You can turn it off again by following the same steps if you ever change your mind. iPhone 16e review – I've secretly tested Apple's cheapest mobile and I love the new button but that's not the best bit APP PRIVACY REPORT – HOW DOES IT WORK? Once it's on, the App Privacy Report will begin logging everything that your apps do. The main section that you'll want to be looking at is the Data & Sensor Access panel at the top. This reveals every time that an app has accessed your info or sensors. Sensors include your camera or microphone, while data is access to things like your Contacts or Location. 3 You can tap on an app and see the most recent times that the sensor or data was accessed. And then you can tap into each sensor or data to see timestamps for every single time they were accessed in the last seven days. So what should you be looking out for? Well some apps will absolutely need access. You'll struggle to take pics with Instagram if you don't give camera access – and WhatsApp needs your microphone for voice notes. Uber will need your Location, and Google Maps will want access to that too. Instead, look for strange access to sensors or data that don't make sense. Is the calculator app that you downloaded using your camera in the middle of the night? Or is that PDF scanner app constantly tapping into your microphone? 3 These are major spying red flags that you should be worried about. It's unlikely that you'll find anything amiss with very mainstream apps, as they're so well-used and regularly probed by security experts. But you'll want to pay attention if you're using very niche apps with few downloads and reviews. HOW TO LOCK APPS OUT If you are worried about your security, you can lock specific apps off from your sensors or data. RUN A SAFETY CHECK TOO! Here's another privacy trick that you should definitely try... Your iPhone has a feature called Safety Check. It lets you quickly see who you're sharing your info with. Maybe you set up location sharing with an ex, or someone still has access to a shared photo album – or maybe you granted microphone access to an app you no longer trust. Safety Check quickly scans your phone for all of this, lets you review it, and allows you to make any changes. Just go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check and follow the steps. There's also an Emergency Reset button that immediately stops sharing all info. And there's a Quick Exit button in the corner that closes the Settings app, returns you to the Home Screen, and saves any changes that you'd made. That way, if you're trying to review your security in a rush and you're worried about someone seeing, you can quickly conceal the process. Picture Credit: Apple Just go into Settings > Privacy & Security, then tap on Camera or Microphone). Then you can see a list of the apps that have asked for permission for that sensor. Tap the toggle at the side to turn access off for that app. But if you're genuinely worried about an app spying on you, it's probably best to just delete it from your phone entirely. You can do that by going into the App Library (the furthest-right panel on your Home Screen), pressing down on the app, and then deleting it.
Mint
6 days ago
- Mint
Suspect someone peeked at your iPhone? Turn on these two settings and catch them next time
If you worry someone peeked at your iPhone, you do not need spy apps or drama. iOS already gives you two quiet checks that surface snooping without fuss. Set them up once, let them run, and you will spot trouble fast. They are already in iOS, they take minutes to set up, and they do not need risky third party apps. Start with App Privacy Report in Settings, Privacy and Security. Turn it on, then live with it for a few days. It logs when apps access your camera, microphone, location, photos, and contacts. If you see sensor access at odd hours or from an app you do not trust, that is your first tell. You can act on it in seconds by revoking permissions or deleting the app. This does not name a person, and it will not snap a secret photo but it does reveal if your phone's most sensitive parts were used when you were not looking. Then open Screen Time. Check pickups and the first app used after each pickup. This view shows when the device was woken and which app launched first. If your phone records pickups at 2am and opens Messages or Photos, that is your second tell. You will not get a face or a name, yet the pattern is clear enough to address at home or at work. It is calm evidence, not a scary story. A few ground rules keep this honest. iOS does not provide a built in log that lists intruders with images and timestamps. Any app that claims to identify snoopers by taking covert selfies will struggle on iPhone because iOS limits background camera access. Focus on what Apple already exposes. App Privacy Report shows sensor access and network activity. Screen Time shows behaviour around unlocks. Together they paint a reliable picture without gimmicks. If the reports look off, lock things down. Change your passcode to a strong six digit or alphanumeric code. Disable Lock Screen access to Wallet, Control Centre, and notifications that reveal messages. Review permissions for Camera, Microphone, Photos, Location, and Contacts. Remove apps you do not recognise. Check devices signed in to your Apple ID and sign out anything that is not yours. These steps are dull, which is why they work. Set App Privacy Report today and keep Screen Time running. Give them a week to collect history. You will have a steady view of sensor access and late night pickups, which is all you need to spot a snooper and fix the root cause.
Fox News
14-03-2025
- Fox News
Apple releases emergency security update for serious vulnerability
If you own an iPhone or iPad, it's time to stop what you're doing and update your device. A newly discovered security flaw, CVE-2025-24201, could leave your personal information vulnerable to hackers. The good news? Apple has released iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2 to fix the issue. Let me explain what all this means for you and how you can stay protected. This vulnerability resides in WebKit, the open-source browser engine that powers Safari, Mail, App Store and other apps on Apple devices. The flaw is an out-of-bounds write issue, which allows attackers to use maliciously crafted web content to bypass the Web Content sandbox, a key security layer that isolates web content from accessing sensitive system resources. Apple has acknowledged that this vulnerability may have been exploited in highly advanced attacks targeting specific individuals using older versions of iOS before 17.2. These attacks are believed to involve well-funded threat actors, such as state-sponsored hackers or advanced cybercriminal groups. Zero-day vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-24201 are particularly dangerous because they are exploited before developers can patch them. In this case, the attacks were highly targeted, meaning most users are unlikely to have been affected directly. However, these incidents underscore the importance of regularly updating your devices to stay protected against evolving threats. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Apple devices, including: If you own any of these devices, it's crucial to update your software immediately. Apple released emergency patches on March 11, 2025, as part of iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2 updates. These updates introduce improved checks to prevent unauthorized actions caused by the vulnerability. This patch is a supplementary fix for an earlier attack mitigated in iOS 17.2. 1. Enable two-factor authentication: Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID to add an extra layer of security to your account. 2. Have strong antivirus software: The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. 3. Use a strong passcode: Set up a strong alphanumeric passcode instead of a simple four-digit PIN. Avoid using easily guessable information like birth dates. 4. Enable face ID or touch ID: Utilize biometric authentication to prevent unauthorized access to your device. 5. Manage app permissions: Regularly review and adjust app permissions to ensure they only access necessary data. 6. Secure lock screen notifications: Disable or limit sensitive information displayed in lock screen notifications. 7. Use Apple's App Privacy Report: Apple's App Privacy Report is a powerful tool that allows iPhone users to monitor how apps access their data and interact with third-party services. This feature provides valuable insights into app behavior, helping you make informed decisions about your privacy. 8. Download apps from official sources: Only install apps from the Apple App Store to avoid potential malware. 9. Keep your Apple ID secure: Never share your Apple ID or password with others, even family members. 10. Enable Find My iPhone: Ensure Find My iPhone is activated to help locate your device if it's lost or stolen. 11. Invest in a password manager: To go beyond iCloud's keychain for increased security, you'll want to invest in a password manager. These are created specifically for the protection of passwords and include features for important documents and photos. This is also beneficial when sharing private data with family members. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here. While it might be tempting to put off updates, you don't want to delay this one. CVE-2025-24201 is a serious threat that's already been used in the wild. Sure, you might not be a high-profile target, but why take chances with your personal data? Updating your device is like giving it a digital suit of armor, and it only takes a few minutes. So, hit that update button and give yourself some peace of mind. Do you think Apple is doing enough to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats, or are there additional steps the company should take to protect its users? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Alert: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Fox News
10-03-2025
- Fox News
Is that iPhone app spying? Apple's App Privacy Report reveals all
Apple's App Privacy Report is a powerful tool that allows iPhone users to monitor how apps access their data and interact with third-party services. This feature provides valuable insights into app behavior, helping users make informed decisions about their privacy. Here's what you need to know about using the App Privacy Report to protect your personal protected & informed! Get security alerts & expert tech tips – sign up for Kurt's The CyberGuy Report access and enable the App Privacy Report on your iPhone (we're running iOS 18.3.1), follow these steps:Once activated, the report will collect data for seven days, providing a comprehensive overview of app ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC, PC, IPHONES AND ANDROIDS - CYBERGUY PICKSThe App Privacy Report is divided into four main section shows which apps have accessed sensitive data such as your location, contacts, photos, camera and microphone. Pay attention to apps that access data when not in use, as this might indicate suspicious TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNETHere, you can see the network traffic generated by apps and the connections they establish with external domains. This information helps identify if and how your data is being shared with third section provides insights into the network activity of websites you visit within part of the report shows which external domains and websites your apps interact with most frequently. It's particularly useful for understanding where your data might be sent after leaving an IOS VULNERABILITY EXPOSES IPHONES TO STEALTHY HACKER ATTACKSAfter reviewing the App Privacy Report, you can take several steps to protect your privacy:To limit ad tracking:Apple's App Privacy Report is a great starting point, but it doesn't stop apps, websites and data brokers from tracking you. For full protection, consider using trusted security tools:Cybercriminals use malware, phishing emails and ransomware scams to steal personal data. A reliable antivirus program can:Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS private information is constantly collected and sold by data brokers, making you a target for scammers and identity theft. A personal data removal service can:While no service can remove all of your data from the internet, ongoing monitoring helps keep your information out of the hands of data my top data removal services App Privacy Report is a valuable tool for iPhone users concerned about their digital privacy. By regularly reviewing this report, you can gain a clearer understanding of how apps handle your personal data and take appropriate actions to protect your privacy. While not all network connections indicate malicious intent, being informed allows you to make conscious decisions about the apps you use and the permissions you reviewing your App Privacy Report, were there any app behaviors that surprised or concerned you? Let us know by writing us at more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
