iOS 11 finally forces Uber to stop tracking you after rides
iOS 11 finally forces Uber to stop tracking you after rides
Now that iOS 11 is finally here, iPhone owners are upgrading for new features like screen recording, a one-handed keyboard, and a means to finally prevent appmakers like Uber from following their every move.
The controversial ride hailing service first announced that it would stop tracking riders after routes ended back in August, but the new policy didn't truly take effect until Apple's latest OS was pushed out to users on Sept. 19.
Apple made a significant change to the way developers can use location services in iOS 11: Devs will no longer be able to give users the binary choice between giving apps permission to "Always" or "Never" track user location when they're not using the app. Uber, which introduced the all-or-nothing option last fall, has been forced to fall in line in order to keep its app on iPhones everywhere.
Uber's latest software update includes language that explains the new location services policy.
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The new version of the app gives all iOS users who install it more control over location sharing, even if they're not among the almost 15 percent who have already made the jump to iOS 11. An Uber spokesperson told Mashablein August that the company would work to bring expanded location sharing options to the Android version of the app, too — but the latest version of the app on the Google Play store makes no mention of the update.
Using Uber is now less intrusive — but for some, Apple forcing its hand makes the tracking concession a case of too little, too late. Ride hailers gain some privacy, but probably shouldn't thank Uber for finally backing out of their business.
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