Apple Confirms iOS 14.5 Release With Major Ad Tracking Restrictions
Apple announces that iOS 14.5 will launch next week, bringing strict App Tracking Transparency rules that require apps to ask permission before tracking users. The update also includes convenient features like mask-friendly unlocking and new Siri voices.
Apple confirms that it releases iOS 14.5 next week, bringing a highly anticipated privacy feature called App Tracking Transparency. With this update, iPhone users see a pop-up prompt whenever an app wants to access their Identifier for Advertisers, giving them a clear choice to opt in or out of cross-app tracking.
This privacy shift causes significant concern for digital advertising companies, particularly Facebook, which argues the new rules reduce the effectiveness and profitability of targeted ads. Apple strictly enforces this policy and requires all new app submissions starting April 26 to fully support these tracking prompts or face removal from the App Store.
Beyond the privacy changes, the update delivers several user-friendly features that improve daily iPhone usage. Users benefit from a convenient mask-wearing unlock option, a redesigned vaccine emoji, and newly added voices for the Siri digital assistant, while the upcoming purple iPhone ships with the software pre-installed.