29 June, 2020

iOS Photos' Privacy

iOS urgently needs to offer more control over apps' access to photos. Specifically, between always access and one-off. It needs to take control over the photo selection process and only give the app access to the selected photos - just like how it handles in app purchases. The app doesn't know anything about your account.

When you upload a file to a website, does that website have access to all the files on the device? No. The browser only hands over the selected file. iOS needs to do this too because most apps simply don't need access to all your photos. I've seen shopping apps with access to photos use your photos to recommend items. They're going through your photos! Social media apps are definitely doing the same. With memory capacities increasing and people storing all their photos on the device, this is a huge privacy flaw.

There is no need for most apps to see all your photos, only those you choose to upload. Maybe only backup apps need access to all. And it's simple. Let the OS handle the selection dialog. Or designate shared folders.

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