Apple is working on the latest update to its iconic operating system, iOS 14. Among many cool new features including a revamped home screen, is a return to form where the privacy of the user becomes a major selling point again. It’s no secret that anyone that uses a phone has to reliable expect that every other app is spying on you with intricate technicalities. The new iOS monitors every app for a potential “data breach” and notifies the user immediately.
Most of these features are not going to affect the average user in any way, one that will affect the user is a notification to change your password. The new iOS 14 will prompt users to change their password on specific accounts if a “data breach” was detected. Now one of the data breaches mentioned is when apps unnecessarily access the clipboard data on a device.
The clipboard data refers to any piece of text that you have copied, several apps were found accessing these pieces of texts. Most notable among them were LinkedIn, TikTok & Reddit. Each of these companies was contacted by several journalists on explanations as to why they would need this data.
LinkedIn Executive Erran Berger tweeted that the code was performing an “equality check” on clipboard data and what was typed into text boxes. When asked what the term meant, Berger refused to comment and said that the offending code would be removed in a new update.
TikTok responded by saying that it did not receive or store the clipboard data, but the interestingly did not mention selling the data directly. They have already removed the code in the latest update.
In the case of Reddit, a spokesperson stated that the app was trying to make helpful suggestions to the user by suggesting similar posts to that of clipboard data. This is particularly concerning as anonymity is what makes Reddit the front page of the internet. They also plan to remove this feature in the next update.
Companies are quick to defer any bad press related to these breaches of security but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that these apps and all other apps will continue to access user data unnecessarily for even the smallest competitive advantage. Now that clipboard data is problematic, they will definitely think of something else. The question is does it matter? Data is the new oil and everyone wants more it, at any means possible.
For an average user it doesn’t actually matter that their privacy is being breached at every turn, it will not negatively affect their life at all, nor does it have any particular positive effect. For a user who deals with particularly sensitive information, it becomes a deal-breaker. It would be advisable for such users to switch to apple as they seem to care about privacy this year.
