iOS 18 introduces a significant change in privacy: what does it mean for you?

Apple has implemented various changes with the launch of iOS 18 this year, and more changes are anticipated in future updates, such as iOS 18.1. These modifications mainly focus on the visual appearance of the operating system, including a revamped Control Center and the upcoming introduction of Apple Intelligence.

Recently, a less discussed change in iOS 18 was observed concerning the Contact Sync feature. This service's primary function is to ensure that the contact list remains consistent across the user's Apple devices. Additionally, it is crucial for essential apps, especially social networks. When accessing certain applications, users are often asked for permission to access their contact list, which allows them to discover which of their friends and family are already using the platform, in addition to receiving recommendations from other users.

However, Apple has modified this process. Starting with iOS 18, when a user consents to share their contact list with an app developer, they are presented with a second message where they can choose which contacts they want to share. This new option allows users to select whether to share the entire list or just a specific group of contacts. According to Apple, this adjustment aims to prioritize user privacy, providing greater control over who can access their personal information.

Nonetheless, some developers express concern about how this change might affect their ability to launch new applications. One example is Nikita Bier, founder of a startup, who considers that this change could mean the "death" of new friend-based social applications. On the other hand, Apple competitors argue that this update is a strategy to limit competition, given that Apple's own applications are not subject to the new Contact Sync limits.

Investigating the true impact of this change will take time. Previously, many users tended to share their entire contact list to facilitate connections with friends in apps, but now, there are those who prefer not to disclose all their information. Ben Lovejoy from 9to5Mac suggests that this change may be beneficial for developers, as it could encourage those who previously did not allow access to contacts to share information selectively.

Thanks to this modification, many will choose to limit the contacts they provide, ensuring that they only share information about friends or family who are already using the service, which could be advantageous. However, it is important to note that the impact of this change will be less sensitive in established social applications like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), which already possess a large amount of accumulated user data. This represents an additional challenge for new developers looking to establish themselves in the market. In summary, Apple's change provides users with a bit more flexibility in determining who can access their private information, which is a positive step forward.