Apple has fixed a bug that undermined the `Private Wi-Fi Address` feature on iOS devices for three years.
The bug was discovered by a security researcher who found that the feature was not randomizing the MAC address as intended.
The issue was addressed in the iOS 17.1 update released in October 2023.
Apple Inc. has recently addressed a bug that had been undermining a key privacy feature on its iOS devices for the past three years. The privacy feature in question is the Private Wi-Fi Address option, which was designed to prevent tracking of iOS devices through their Wi-Fi MAC addresses. However, due to the bug, the feature had not been functioning as intended since its introduction in iOS 14.
The bug was first discovered by a security researcher who found that the Private Wi-Fi Address feature was not randomizing the MAC address as it was supposed to. Instead, the feature was using a consistent MAC address, making it possible for third parties to track iOS devices.
The issue was fixed in the iOS 17.1 update, which was released by Apple in October 2023. The update ensures that the Private Wi-Fi Address feature now correctly randomizes the MAC address, thereby enhancing the privacy of iOS users.
The bug had remained undetected for three years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Apple's privacy features. However, with the release of the iOS 17.1 update, Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to user privacy.
The article provides a detailed explanation of how the bug worked and how it was discovered.
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TechCrunch is owned by Verizon Communications, which also owns Yahoo and AOL. Verizon could potentially benefit from negative coverage of Apple, a competitor in the tech industry.
The article provides a historical context of the issue, comparing it to similar issues in the past.
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Ars Technica is owned by Condé Nast, a mass media company that also owns Wired and The New Yorker. Condé Nast could potentially benefit from negative coverage of Apple, a major player in the tech industry.
The article provides a comparison of how Android and iOS handle privacy features.
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The article seems to favor Android over iOS in terms of privacy features.
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Android Authority is a site dedicated to Android news and reviews. It could potentially benefit from negative coverage of Apple, a direct competitor to Android.
The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to enable the private address feature.
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The author of the article is a known Apple enthusiast and has written several articles promoting Apple products. This could potentially bias their coverage of Apple.