Questions tagged [privacy]
Apple hardware and software can log location as well as other sensitive information that you may wish to keep private. Also group questions that relate to general software and information relating on how to protect your privacy by choosing one configuration over another.
445
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Can't (re-)authorize any Accessibility apps on Monterey (12.6.3)
After a forced reboot (and another reboot for good measure), the applications I allow to "Accessibility" control under System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy no longer ...
- 229
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56
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Private Mac Address in iPhone
When I connect to Wi-Fi in public spaces I use "private MAC address" for each connection. Does Apple have a database (and save) each of the private mac addresses used by my phone device or ...
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How does Safari (desktop and mobile) know I have a Google account, even in private mode?
While browsing in Safari (Private Mode as well as non-private), I recently saw multiple times some new overlay/modal that offers me to quickly create an account with that respective page using the &...
- 21
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Can you undo the text message notification that gets sent when changing share settings on a Note?
Say you are working on the draft of a project in an iOS note.
You share the note with a potential collaborator wanting their input.
But then you share the note with someone else who is their ...
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30
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Can Apps or websites visited access SMS/iMessages on iPhone, Mac, etc.?
Is it possible for a legit app (not talking about malicious apps or jailbroken devices), or any website visited in a browser on the device like Chrome or Safari, to be allowed to see or access SMS/MMS ...
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Does iOS app location tracking require permission?
Some apps say they track location in “data linked to you” in their app privacy label.
For example, the game Roblox.
But, these apps (like Roblox) don’t always appear in the Settings -> Privacy &...
- 173
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9
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Inconsistent “load all images” in iPad Mail
I have two iPads where Mail’s “load all images” button works differently and I can’t figure out why. On both of them, “protect mail activity” is off and “block all remote content is on.
Also on both, ...
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134
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Homemade AppleScript app, upon opening, repeatedly asks for permission to access Documents folder. OS 12.6.1 Monterey
I built a simple AppleScript (in Script Editor 2.11) that opens a text file, searches through it with certain parameters and pastes a report to the clipboard. Simple. But when I then save the script ...
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Trust computer from Apple Watch
My Apple Watch asked me if I trust a Mac. I reluctantly clicked Yes. Now I wonder which Mac did I let it trust. How can I make sure that it is my Mac? Is there a list of trusted devices/computers on ...
- 369
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9
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How to omit copy/pastes from universal/shared clipboards?
Is there a shortcut or way to hide certain copy-pastes from the universal clipboard or apps that keep global copy-paste history (like Alfred)? I love the convenience of these clipboard extensions, but ...
- 1,146
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MacOS Ventura - Google Chrome not appearing in location services
I'm trying to enable Location Services for a site in Google Chrome, and it says that I must enable Location Services for Chrome in the system settings. But in the Location Services settings, Chrome ...
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With "Xee" I can no longer display photos in the new macOS Ventura "Lockdown Mode", but with Preview it works [closed]
With Xee (from App Store, formerly Open Source) I can't display photos anymore in the new macOS Ventura Lockdown Mode, but with Preview it works.
Screenshot of a photo in my collection:
Is there a ...
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Using Apple ID as login method - Can the App Developer track you, if you delete your account and re-do this?
Let's say an iOS app lets you use your Apple ID as your login method, and you create an account this way.
I suppose they don't get your APPLE ID, bur rather some scrambled, right?
Then, if you delete ...
- 119
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Prevent Siri and Dictation from sending my contacts to Apple servers
Is there a settings combination on current Apple operating systems (macOS 13 Ventura, iOS 16.1) that prevents Siri and Dictation from sending my contacts to an Apple server?
Apple's web page Siri ...
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Does the "Lockdown Mode" only protect Apple apps? If you mainly use Open Source alternatives, does this feature offer nothing?
I enabled Lockdown Mode today. The advertising sounds very good:
What is Lockdown Mode?
Lockdown Mode is an optional, extreme protection that’s designed for
the very few individuals who, because of ...
- 3,603
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869
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Why is Safari automatically accessing the log-in details of another app?
The other day, I logged in to a Google account with the YouTube app on iOS. Later, while doing a Google search, I noticed the Google account's profile in the corner, despite me never signing in to ...
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Can My University See Through my VPN on iOS?
So to use the internet at my university, you have to accept a certificate and log in with your username and password. I use a VPN and an iPhone on iOS 16.
I haven't had to trust the certificate in a ...
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29
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Apple Maps using location although not opened
After a few months I noticed that my iPhone is using my location quite frequently. This has different reasons, some of them are legit, some not so much.
In the settings you can see which apps ...
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2
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Do airtags beep if they are traveling with someone who does not have an iThing?
Suppose Brian steels ones bag that has an airbag sewn into it well hidden. Brian doesn't have an iPhone or iPad, but rather a feature phone, or alternately an Android device. He takes it with him on ...
- 111
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31
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Safari stopped finding trackers?
Since Safari Tracking Prevention started, the number of trackers prevented over seven days was consistently 100±50, until a few weeks ago. Since then, it has been zero. My browsing habits (as far as ...
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My mom offered to share her iPhone Health app data with me. Do I have to put MY data in iCloud to see HER data?
My phone says: "Health in iCloud is Turned Off The Health app uses iCloud to access health data that is shared with you. To receive invitations to share and view data, turn on Health in iCloud.&...
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microphone and cable headset do not work in any app even though the micro is allowed under "Privacy" --> "Microphone"
Taking up for example the answer of Microphone not working on third party apps only (iPhone 6):
Under Settings > Privacy > Microphone you'll be able to allow/deny each app that require the ...
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App remembers my phone number
Some time ago I installed a certain social network app and logged in using my phone number. Then I uninstalled it.
Today I reinstalled it, and when I first launched it, I noticed that the phone number ...
- 720
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45
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How do I add privacy settings on macOS?
On my personal Mac (M1, Monterey) everything is ok, and the privacy settings look something like this:
There is a Screen Recording and Full Disk Access and so on.
Today at work, I was given the same ...
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TEMP files encrypted on IPhone?
I am going to sell my iPhone soon and wondered as to the safety of the temp files/cache files on iPhone for apps like twitter,Reddit,WhatsApp ETC.
I am aware that iPhone has File based encryption and ...
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18
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Turn off/on the privacy settings section
I turned off my private session (I don't know how it's officially called actually) for security reasons some time ago following a tutorial.
And now I cannot access it to check some subscriptions in my ...
3
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What does this MacOS/X dialog mean?
My mom recently started seeing the dialog in the attached photo whenever she tries to launch her favorite video game (which she downloaded from Big Fish games a few weeks ago; she's running MacOS Big ...
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398
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Apps randomly can't access Finder/Files MacOS Monterey 12
I am using Monterey 12.5 on a new MacBook (week old), and randomly apps will not be able to interact with the file system. Chrome, photoshop, illustrator... Anything I've installed. I restart the app ...
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111
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How do I make BlueStacks request Camera Permission?
I'm trying to use the camera on my Mac on BlueStacks, and it shows up black.
When I go to permissions I can't add the applications. I've reset the permissions, and my SIP is enabled.
I've tried
tccctl ...
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2
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313
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why system is always accessing the microphone now?
Recently I noticed that system (not system preferences, but system itself) keeps the right to access the micro even if one is not using Siri nor dictation. Is this a recent issue? How to know exactly ...
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Can apps with "Files and Folders" permission read all my personal files from my iphone?
Can apps with "Files and Folders" permission read all my personal files from my iphone?
I was recently digging through settings on my iphone and noticed the "access to Files and Folders&...
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CSAM scanning in IOS 15
Does iOS 15 and 15.5 in particular have CSAM scanning? I've done a lot of internet searching and have not yet found a definitive answer.
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164
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Privacy permissions not retained
Running Monterey 12.4 but this has been happening since Catalina. When I restart into macOS from Boot Camp, I get a number of popups asking for various permissions for various apps. Typically, Full ...
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What ports and protocols does the Apple "Protect Mail Activity" indirect asset loading feature require?
What are the ports used by the indirect asset loading feature of the Apple Mail app?
- 241
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150
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Enabeling "Hide IP address"
Safari 15.5 has an option in Preferences/Privacy to "Hide IP address". When turned on, this has led to some web-sites not loading at all or only loading partially. independent.co.uk is an ...
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165
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Apple vs. VPN for security and tracking
I use ExpressVPN full-time on all devices. Is there any added security or tracking benefit to adding any of Apple's IP address features, such as "Private Wi-Fi address" or "Limit IP ...
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315
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Interpretation of system services on iPhone [Arrows (hollow, purple and gray)]
I use an iPhone 11 for work and I share my location with friends and family. I currently have the following results:
Can I safely conclude that in the last 24 hours no one has verified my location ...
- 23
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Find my iPhone keeps tracking me?
I have disabled Find my iPhone (under Settings > My Account > Find My > Find my iPhone > Off):
As suggested by bmike, I've also disabled tracking for the "Find my" app:
However,...
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Apply outgoing firewall rules per app selectively (MacOS Big Sur)
Question:
Which firewall can selectively apply multiple named domain resolving rules per app? E.g. like the One Periodic's Hands Off firewall
Details:
I'm looking for an app or combination of apps ...
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311
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Spyware in MacOS: Spotlight Search Privacy
I have Macbook Pro 14.2 from 2017. I don't have Apple ID and I don't own Iphone or any other apple products.
I wanted to know are Spotlight search private? Or, in my case is it possible to mask my ...
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A few apps constantly asking for location permissions, even though I grant them access every time
TLDR; How to identify and troubleshoot security prompts that repeat on macOS Monterey 12.3.1 on an Intel MBP?
Fantastical.app (from the Mac App Store) and TV.app (the apple app) will ask multiple ...
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MacOS 12.3.1 Full Disk Access problem
We use an MDM solution to manage devices. A .mobileconfig 'profile' grants all the necessary access for Ivanti File Director, that works perfectly fine when the rights were granted on an earlier ...
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Streaming Pictures (local network only) to the new AppleTV
How-To stream and/or upload Pictures (local network only, I don't wish any cloud) to the new AppleTV? With a web search I found a few Apps, but they are discontinued.
I am aware of AirPlay, but search ...
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301
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Where does Safari store material from "fbcdn.net"?
If I disconnect from internet, launch Safari, open Preferences→Privacy→Manage website data, and click Remove All, everything vanishes except a cache from fbcdn.net.
Selecting that only and clicking ...
- 3,943
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No recording indicator in control center when microphone is in use
According to the macOS User Guide:
The Recording Indicator light in Control Center shows you when your computer’s microphone is in use or has been used recently... The light turns on when you open ...
- 133
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281
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How to prevent apps from accessing real MAC address?
I would like to prevent apps in my M1 Mac from accessing my real MAC address is there absolutely anything that I can do to hide real MAC address from apps in my computer. If I spoof MAC address ...
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267
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Is Allowing Full Disk Access to Safari Dangerous?
I have created a front-end tool for work using only HTML, CSS and Js.
I'm trying to have my coworkers simply open the html file in their own browsers, but the browser gives an error that requires ...
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Did Macs have an AV built-in and enabled by default in early 2014?
In early 2014, would a new MacBook Air be shipped with some sort of Apple anti-virus software? And if so, would it be running by default and "block threats" on its own in some intelligent ...
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How to stop com.apple.metadata:kMDItemWhereFroms attribute from being saved in files?
Recently I found out that macOS saves full download link to metadata of file which kept when file moves between computers which I found a big security risk for me. Is it possible to disable saving ...
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518
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Persistent orange dot (microphone) icon even when microphone not in actual use - how to find out which app may be causing this?
I've been having some strange issues where the "orange dot" (microphone supposedly active/on/listening/recording), but I have no visible apps that actually should have the microphone active.
...
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