Introducing on iOS: 'Safety Measure' for Domestic Violence Survivors
On a Monday fervor, Apple unveiled a captivating new addition to iOS 16, primarily aimed at individuals in precarious situations seeking to cut ties with abusive partners who might be tracking their movements or sneakily perusing their messages. During the 2022 edition of the World Wide Developer Conference, or WWDC, Katie Skinner, a privacy engineering manager at Apple, emphasized the necessity of safeguarding personal data in the face of abusive relationships.
The new feature, christened Safety Check, empowers users to halt location tracking via Find My and reset their iPhone's privacy settings with a few button presses. By activating Safety Check, the user is also automatically signed out on all other devices and their access to FaceTime and iMessage is restricted.
Moreover, Safety Check allows users to scrutinize the permissions they've granted to a variety of apps and manage the degree of access other individuals hold. Skinner elucidated that this feature enables users in abusive situations to promptly nullify an abuser's access to their data and location, thereby facilitating their escape to safety.
Intimate partner violence is a significant issue in the United States. As per data from the CDC, approximately 1 out of 3 women and 1 out of 4 men will experience some form of abuse by an intimate partner during their lifetime. This translates to about 10 million individuals annually, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Apple asserts that Safety Check is the fruition of discussions with several organizations that assist victims of domestic abuse, such as the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), the Women’s Services Network, and the National Network to End Domestic Violence. The NCVC emphasized that in times of crisis, knowing who has access to one's information and location is crucial for survivors, and Safety Check helps in reclaiming control.
The new tech feature in iOS 16, Safety Check, is a testament to the future of tech and privacy, allowing users to easily revoke location tracking and reset privacy settings with just a few button presses during times of need. This technology is particularly beneficial for individuals in abusive relationships, as activating Safety Check will automatically sign them out on all devices and restrict access to FaceTime and iMessage. Moreover, Safety Check enables users to scrutinize app permissions and manage other individuals' access to their data, empowering them to swiftly revoke an abuser's access during their escape to safety. Organizations like the NCVC acknowledge that Safety Check is a significant step forward in helping survivors reclaim control during times of crisis.
