Apple will roll out the privacy-oriented iOS 14.5 update next week that has Facebook worried

• One of the highlights of the upcoming iOS 14.5 update is the App Tracking Transparency feature.
• This feature forces developers to request user permission to track them for ads.
• Social media giant Facebook is worried that this feature could lead to a decline in its ad revenue, and has been blasting Apple for it for a few months now.

During its Spring Loaded event yesterday, Apple quietly revealed that the iOS 14.5 update will start rolling out next week, along with updates to iPadOS, WatchOS and macOS. It’s the same update that has Facebook worried.

One of the biggest highlights of the iOS 14.5 update is its focus on user privacy. While iOS has several privacy-oriented features already, iOS 14.5 introduces a new feature called App Tracking Transparency.

This feature essentially forces developers to ask users for permission to track them for targeted ads, making it an opt-in feature. As things stand right now, users are required to manually disable tracking from the Settings menu, which means it’s an opt-out feature at the moment.

Making a feature opt-in requires users to actively think about it, and then make a decision.

Companies like Facebook – which have their business model centered around advertising – have been blasting Apple for this.

While Google has not gone public against Apple’s new privacy feature yet, it doesn’t have a stellar record when it comes to privacy. More recently, some of Google’s most important apps went weeks without any update after Apple started enforcing another privacy-oriented feature called privacy labels.

iOS 14.5 – what’s new

Apart from App Tracking Transparency, Apple is bringing a slew of new features to iPhones and iPod touch devices.

Given that the second wave of COVID-19 is upon us, Apple will allow you to use Face Unlock while wearing your mask. However, you will need an Apple Watch connected to your phone if you want to do this.

The update will also include AirTag support, an updated Music app with swipe gestures, AirPlay 2 with support for Fitness+ workouts, and support for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X controllers.

On a lighter note, the iOS 14.5 update will bring 217 new emoji, according to Emojipedia.

The new purple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will come with iOS 14.5 installed out of the box. Likewise, the new iPad Pro models will also come with iPadOS 14.5 pre-installed. All other compatible iPhones, iPod touch and iPads will get the update over-the-air starting next week.

iOS 14.5 compatible devices


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