Apple revises products' security platform guide, reaffirms commitment to user privacy

In 2020, Apple made sweeping changes to improve user privacy across all product categories. Some include making app developers be transparent with their subscribers. They were made to mandatorily submit details on the Apple App Store showing how much and what type of user-information is being tracked by the apps.

Now, the Cupertino-based company has updated the Apple Platform Security with a massive 200-page document detailing extensive privacy policy covering all hardware (iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iPod) and software (iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS and iPads).

As CEO Tim Cook mentioned in the recent event, Apple sees the right to privacy as a fundamental right of all individuals and will do everything to keep this as the core objective in all its products.

Apple says all modern iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers come with in-house built T2 chips with dedicated AES hardware engine. This ensures only the proprietary operating system can be run on the devices and ensures it can not be breached to inject malicious code.

And, the Secure Enclave, a co-processor that comes paired with A and M series silicon chips on Apple devices, ensures Touch ID and Face ID deliver secure authentication while keeping user biometric data private and secure.

"This documentation provides details about how security technology and features are implemented within Apple platforms. It also helps organizations combine Apple platform security technology and features with their own policies and procedures to meet their specific security needs," says the company on the revised Apple Platform Security guide page.

Also, the company advised users to upgrade their Apple devices to the latest software to protect themselves from cyber threats.

FILE PHOTO: The Apple logo is seen through a security fence erected around the Apple Fifth Avenue store. Credit: AP

Also, the company notes all apps before entering the Apple App Store, undergo a strict screening process to thwart malware-laced applications entering the ecosystem.

"On iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, all apps are obtained from the App Store — and all apps are sandboxed — to provide the tightest controls. And on Mac, by default on macOS 10.15 or later, all Mac apps need to be notarised by Apple to launch. This requirement ensures that these apps are free of known malware without requiring that the apps be provided through the App Store. In addition, macOS includes state-of-the-art anti-virus protection to block — and if necessary remove — malware," Apple said.

Some of the new key addition to the Apple Security Platform guide include Memory safe iBoot implementation, Boot process for a Mac with Apple silicon, Boot modes for a Mac with Apple silicon, Startup Disk security policy control for a Mac with Apple silicon, LocalPolicy signing-key creation and management, Contents of a LocalPolicy file for a Mac with Apple silicon, Signed system volume security in macOS, Apple Security Research Device, Password Monitoring, IPv6 security and Car keys security in iOS.

Apple is slated to release iOS 14.5 (& iPadOS 14.5) later this spring. It will bring an App Tracking Transparency feature that will give users the option to turn off all permission (given during installation) for the app thus blocking it from tracking and collecting user information.

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