Legal - Safari Search & Privacy - Apple (2024)

FAQs

Does Safari respect privacy? ›

Safari works to prevent advertisers and websites from using the unique combination of characteristics of your device to create a “fingerprint” to track you. These characteristics include the device and browser configuration, and fonts and plug-ins you have installed.

Is Safari Private Browsing actually private? While Safari Private Browsing does provide a certain level of privacy, it is not entirely foolproof or impenetrable. It's essential to be aware of the shortcomings and the parties who may still be able to track your data even when you're using Safari's private browsing mode.

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (“ECPA”) governs the authorized disclosure of data, including customer content, by Apple. An exception to the requirement that government or law enforcement obtain a search warrant for customer content is provided by ECPA in situations in which the case involves an emergency.

Apple uses personal data to power our services, to process your transactions, to communicate with you, for security and fraud prevention, and to comply with law. We may also use personal data for other purposes with your consent. Apple uses your personal data only when we have a valid legal basis to do so.

Hide IP address: Safari automatically protects your IP address from known trackers. For eligible iCloud+ subscribers, your IP address is protected from trackers and websites as you browse in Safari. If this option is off, your IP address isn't hidden.

Analytics data helps Apple improve Safari when users share issues they experience with the product. Users are asked to opt in before analytics and usage data are collected, and data is sent to Apple with identifying information removed.

If you are already charged with a crime, your browser data (including your search history) can be subpoenaed by the prosecution. For instance, your internet history can be used against you to establish a motive for a crime or that you had the knowledge to commit a crime – even if you were browsing in “private” mode.

When you clear your history, Safari removes data it saves as a result of your browsing, including: History of webpages you visited. The back and forward list for open webpages. Frequently visited site list.

Private Browsing Mode is a neat privacy feature for Safari users who want to easily hide their browsing histories. However, that's where its privacy protection ends. You can still be tracked even if you use Private Browsing.

We contractually require our service providers to follow the same standard we apply to government information requests for Apple data. Our legal team reviews requests to ensure that the requests have a valid legal basis. If they do, we comply by providing data responsive to the request.

Can Apple see what you are doing? ›

If you choose to opt in, your iOS and iPadOS devices can collect analytics about your device and any paired Apple Watch and send it to Apple for analysis. This analysis helps Apple improve products and reduce problems like apps crashing.

End-to-end encryption

Maps keeps your personal data in sync across all your devices using end‑to-end encryption. Your Significant Locations and collections are encrypted end‑to‑end so Apple cannot read them.

Apple can trace your internet traffic too. The website may not store cookies while browsing in a private mode. However, Apple itself stores your data. This applies to all devices of apple and not only just the iPhone.

Data encryption

Apple has better control over the data it stores and can protect it better because it stores the encryption keys for its iCloud service on its own servers. Google stores the keys on third-party servers. Apple uses end-to-end encryption, which only allows the user access to certain sensitive data.

If a user has enabled ADP, an iCloud search warrant will produce Apple email, contacts and their calendar.

Apple does an excellent job of hiding your online activity and keeping your data safe when Private Browsing is turned on. However, Safari does store some cache information about your activity, which can be found in the Terminal archive.

Apple provides Safari users with extra privacy settings to keep user tracking at bay. Remember that these security measures don't hide your IP from the websites you visit – they only hide it from trackers (and building your online profile is probably the simplest thing that people can do with your IP address).

Safari is the default browser on all iOS devices as it's optimized for Apple's hardware and software, but nothing is stopping you from using Chrome. Safari is more secure and privacy-friendly than Chrome, but Chrome is faster and offers enhanced performance.

Safari is strictly available on Apple products. Thus, if you use Windows or Android, this browser is unavailable. Issues with privacy-oriented features. Some features within the Safari browser might not be as private as assumed.