Apple enhances iPhone and iPad location privacy against law enforcement and hackers

As detailed in TechCrunch, Apple has introduced a new privacy feature for select iPhone and iPad models that limits the precision of location data shared with cellular carriers, aiming to protect user privacy from law enforcement, spies, and malicious actors.

The feature, available on iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular running iOS 26.3, restricts location data shared with carriers to a general neighborhood rather than a specific street address. This limitation does not impact location accuracy for apps or emergency services.

The rollout coincides with increased reliance by law enforcement on carrier data for tracking individuals and frequent targeting of carriers by hackers, including China-backed groups like Salt Typhoon, seeking sensitive customer information. Previously, vulnerabilities in cellular networks allowed surveillance vendors to access precise location data globally.

Source: TechCrunch