As we move further along in the week after WWDC22, we’re going to take a look at yet another iOS 16 feature: Safety Check. This feature is designed to provide abuse victims with more safety and tools to escape a dangerous situation.
As such, this is a heavy topic, so be sure that you’re in a healthy state of mind before reading through this post. We’ll be touching on topics like domestic abuse and stalking as we cover this new feature.
Safety Check is an upcoming feature from Apple that will allow iPhone users (and potentially users of other Apple devices; it’s too early to tell) to revoke access to accounts that they’ve shared with others.
The idea is that if the individual has shared their accounts with an abuser, they can instantly revoke access to their accounts with the tap of a button. Given that demanding access to a victim’s accounts is a popular tactic for abusers, this feature could go a long way towards keeping victims safe.
Apple developed this feature with insights from and consultations with organizations against domestic abuse. This gives me more confidence that this will be an effective tool against abusers.
You can expect Safety Check to hit iPhones this Fall with the release of iOS 16. Specifically, we’re looking at a September release date, as this is generally when iOS updates have been released in the past.
How will Safety Check work?
Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of information on how Safety Check is supposed to work at this time. All we have is a screenshot on Apple’s website reading:
“Emergency Reset: Immediately reset all access for all people and apps, and review your account security.”
It’s unclear if this means the feature will revoke access to the person’s Apple account and, by extension, their Keychain. Or will it actually remove access to all of their apps and online accounts – and if so, how would that be possible?
It’s a bit vague, so we’ll have to wait for more information to come from Apple before we really understand it.
What we can expect is that this feature will also initiate a series of safety checks. These will walk the user through the process of resetting passwords, checking critical accounts, and otherwise securing their data manually.
Safety Check comes as Apple is also dealing with AirTag stalking
While Safety Check is sure to be an excellent feature, it’s hard not to draw parallels to the current issue of AirTag stalking. Apple’s AirTag devices are designed to help people find lost items.
However, they can be easily exploited as a way to stalk victims. All the stalker has to do is place the AirTag on their victim and they can begin tracking their movements.
Apple has implemented some features to combat this, but they’re inconsistent as of now. Hopefully, Safety Check represents a continued push to keep victims and users safe.
Apple is still pushing for privacy and security features
The good news surrounding Safety Check (aside from the feature itself) is that Apple is still pushing forward with its commitment to privacy and security. This has been one of the key selling points for Apple products for a few years now, and it’s great to see it continue building out these features.
Privacy and security are some of the most pressing issues when it comes to digital services and tools today. The more features we can get in the department, the better for everyone.
Make sure your friends are aware of Safety Check
And that’s it! That’s everything there is to know about the new iOS 16 feature Safety Check. It looks like it’ll be an excellent tool for keeping abuse victims safe as they break off contact with their abusers.
Make sure that your friends are aware of this feature, as it could save them from potential violence and abuse.
I appreciate apples effort in revoking user access to owners account but how can you tell who is who unless you have access to the encryption applets, keys, CA(this is the system that revokes access for all business web trusted platform that has been hacked since 2011). This is the same system microsoft had a hackathon in 1990s. Its connected to apple too and the owners wallets.
I appreciate apples effort in revoking user access to owners account but how can you tell who is who unless you have access to the encryption applets, keys, CA(this is the system that revokes access for all business web trusted platform that has been hacked since 2011). This is the same system microsoft had a hackathon in 1990s. Its connected to apple too and the owners wallets.