To reduce this privacy risk, iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 include a feature that periodically changes the MAC address your device uses with each Wi-Fi network. This allows a kind of user tracking or profiling, and it applies to all devices on all Wi-Fi networks. If the device always uses the same Wi-Fi MAC address, network operators and other network observers can more easily relate that address to the device's network activity and location over time. To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device must identify itself to the network using a unique network address called a media access control (MAC) address. Spotted by Stephen Hacket at 512 Pixels, the support document explains that while a MAC address is a great way to identify a device, that identification also makes it perfect for tracking users. All three of those updates will be able to randomize a device's MAC address to help maintain user privacy. Apple has also published some support documentation for the updates ahead of time with one tidbit proving particularly interesting. Apple will release iOS 14, iPad 14, and watchOS 7 to the public later this year and developers are already testing them out.
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December 2022
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