If you’re like most people in the modern world, then you might often find yourself using your phone to access the internet. But the online world, increasingly, is a dangerous place. It’s filled with malicious actors who might be looking to intercept your data. Sometimes, those actors might work on behalf of nation states.
Recently, the UK government has rolled out the Online Safety Act, which places restrictions on online access. A number of privacy and free speech concerns have been voiced in the wake of the law coming into force. If you’re concerned about the impact it might have on your digital life, it’s worth pausing to reflect – and perhaps even to reset your relationship with your digital devices.
Review and Manage App Permissions
If you’re an iPhone user, then you have the ability to adjust your privacy permissions. Think about which apps you’re allowing to use your camera, microphone, and photo galleries. It might be that someone is watching you, every moment that you use the phone. As such, it’s worth being conservative, and auditing those permissions regularly.
Utilise Safari’s Privacy Features
Safari comes with a number of features that might allow you to browse the internet without fear of your activities being observed. These include private browsing, which keeps your history clear. It’s perfect for when you’re visiting a website that you don’t want to come up in your suggestions when you type something into the URL bar.
Then there are features that variously block cookies and mask your IP address. A good VPN will be able to mask your traffic, too. You can find plenty of reputable VPN for iPhone services, which can be tweaked and toggled with just a few swipes.
Secure Your Device with Strong Authentication
If someone can steal your device, then they might also be able to gain access to your data. This is where the modern iPhone is actually extremely resilient. Enable Stolen Device Protection. It will ensure that the core features of your phone can’t be accessed by another person, through the use of Apple’s face recognition and fingerprint scanning. That way, if your phone gets snatched while you’re walking on Oxford Street, you’ll be able to quickly act to protect your data.
Regularly Review and Update Privacy Settings
Every so often, Apple will roll out a few changes to its privacy settings. Given that the company is engaged in a protracted dispute with the UK government, it’s reasonable to expect those rules to change in the future. If you’re concerned about your privacy, make sure that you keep yourself in the loop!
Licensed broker Logan Patel holds an MBA in Urban Economics from UCLA and has steered buyers and investors through market swings for a decade. He joined us in 2024 to demystify listings, financing, and neighborhood data with clear, chart-backed advice. When he isn’t scanning comps, Logan coaches youth basketball and scouts mid-century districts for hidden architectural gems on weekend walks.
