Apple launches IOS15: China and other countries exempted from new feature ‘private relay’

9^th June,2021

By: Norvisi Mawunyegah

A new function called “private relay”, where users’ web browsing behavior can be hidden from Apple, internet providers and advertisers. Apple has been pressured to cut down on the tracking of user data some timenow. The feature will not be available to users in China, one of its most important markets, due to regulatory reasons. It’s the latest settlement that the apple has made on privacy in China, where 15% of its revenue comes from.

The Internet is closely controlled in China, which also employs an extensive surveillance system on its residents.

Apple says the feature sends traffic to a server maintained by Apple, where a piece of information called its IP address will be removed. From there, it goes to a second server operated by a third party, where it will be given a temporary IP address and sent onto the destination website. Apple says the use of an outside party means “no single entity can identify both who a user is and which sites they visit”.

Experts say the function will prevent advertisers from using IP addresses to determine a person’s location too. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for more information on the regulatory issues involved. But it did say the relay service will not be available in Belarus, Colombia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkmenistan, Uganda and the Philippines as well as China.

Apple also announced a number of new privacy features included in the latest iPhone operating system, iOS 15.

Users will be able to track which apps are collecting data and some apps like Mail will hide IP addresses in order to block tracking.

The new features are likely to hinder social media companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter as customized advertising based on user data is central to their business model.